interviewing a trans employee

[Anonymous]

I'm a manager who had an employee for several years, I'll call him Bob, who left over a year ago and has since transitioned and now has reapplied for her former position as let's say Susan. Of the employment records and resume are still listed as Bob, but the application and new email address say Susan. I want to be sensitive and not mis-gender the applicant, do I just assume that we all say Susan and tell the other interviewers as well? Should I just ask directly at the beginning of the interview?

[Anonymous]

Can you call each person you're interviewing in advance and confirm name and pronouns when setting other expectations for the interview (virtual or in person, how long it will last, dress code, who will participate, if it's a scripted list of questions, whether they need to provide a writing sample or references, etc.)? Obviously the pronoun issue is more important for Susan than most other applicants but this way it's equal.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Assume it is Susan with female pronouns. Given the history Susan will tell you if it is not necessary but will be very appreciative of the attempt regardless.

Incidentally far hard to change names and pronouns for someone you have historically known that use the appropriate pronoun and name for someone you meet. Susan knows that.

As for personnel record you should change them to state the current name and reference to the finer name like you would for a person who married and changed names.

[Anonymous]

Agree with above. You call her Susan and use female pronouns. I had a friend I worked with in a volunteer capacity transition from Mike to Susan. It was hard at first because I’d used the male name and pronouns for several years.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for the advice. Susan started the interview by saying her legal name was still Bob but she would prefer that we call her Susan. One of our colleagues accidentally said Bob once and corrected herself, we all want to do what we can to be sensitive and remind ourselves of the change. I appreciate the perspective!

[Anonymous]

Use Susan but so not assume pronouns. Use the property name in place of pronouns unless told otherwise. In my company, when we do introductions we say our preferred pronouns after we say our name. Maybe you can do that when the interview kicks off to invite Susan to say.

[Anonymous]

Good for her. She has the “ballz” To come back!

[Anonymous]

Way to go Susan!