The Department of Labor's Occupation
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on Monday offered guidance to
employers on bathroom access for transgender workers.
In its 4-page Guide
to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers, the agency said
that transgender employees should have access to the restroom that
corresponds to their gender identity.
According to one estimate, 700,000
adults in the United States identify as transgender.
“Restricting employees to using only
restrooms that are not consistent with their gender identity, or
segregating them from other workers by requiring them to use
gender-neutral or other specific restrooms, singles those employees
out and may make them fear for their physical safety,” OSHA said.
“Bathroom restrictions can result in employees avoiding using
restrooms entirely while at work, which can lead to potentially
serious physical injury or illness.”
“Regardless of the physical layout of
a worksite, all employers need to find solutions that are safe and
convenient and respect transgender employees.”
(Related: Labor
secretary Thomas Perez: LGBT-inclusive workplaces are more
productive.)