You are the VP of Human Resources for a company with 250 employees. You have both outside sales representatives and inside sales representatives that work primarily by phone. James is an outside sales representative who spends most of his time in the field visiting clients. One day he comes to work dressed in female clothing, with make-up on, and a wig; he declares he is now Jamie and this dress will now become his regular work attire. He says that he is a transgender individual and cannot continue to pretend he is someone he is not any longer.

Scenario #1 Discussion* During your next board meeting the board members ask what steps you are going to take to address this situation.

Scenario #2 Discussion* The company receives feedback from some of its clients who threaten to pull their accounts from your organization.

*Scenarios are above are things to think about as we have our discussion in class and just two of many different outcomes which could occur.

Case Questions (Answer based on laws and best practices… not conjecture.):

1) What questions should you ask and what information should you gather before taking action?

2) How are you going to handle this situation? What actions will you take, or could you take?

3) What legal issues will you need to consider? What laws?

4) Are you guilty of discrimination if you fire Jamie? (Provide rationale for your answer.)

5) How would your answers change if this employee worked in a hospital or at your place of business? Would it matter what position they work in?