Diversity and inclusion ‘all on paper’, writes a transgender activist on experience at work

By Rakshitha Mallikarjuna

NEW DELHI: For many years, even being a graduate, I could not get a job. I have given many interviews and done many jobs but eventually have had to leave the organisation as people feel “uncomfortable” due to my presence. Before 2018, whichever job interview I went to, all I was told was “we’ll get back” or just to go back later. The problem is not my educational qualification but my identity as a transgender person. I was dependent on my community to pay my rent as I had left my parent’s home in 2010. They didn't accept me.

I completed my BA in Sociology, Economics and Political Science at Basaveshwara College of Commerce, Arts and Science, Bengaluru, in 2012 through correspondence. Despite being educated, I have struggled to get jobs or survive due to constant targeting and discrimination. I am so disappointed by the way organisations need people from LGBTQIA+ community in the name of diversity and inclusivity but in reality, nobody is ready to be inclusive. It's all on paper.

Odd jobs

Before 2018, I did odd jobs like working at a travel agency near my house in Bengaluru and as a domestic worker. But just like all other jobs, I couldn’t stay long because customers complained to the head that they weren’t comfortable interacting with me. Eventually I started volunteering with Ondede, a non-profit. I kept striving for other work opportunities but none came my way for a very long time. For long, I contributed to the organisation in various roles to support and empower the transgender community.

Even after moving and giving interviews for positions like data-entry, receptionist, and personal assistant, I didn’t receive any call. There is so much talk and conversations around rights and opportunities for the third gender but on ground, nothing much is happening.

Life at MNCs

After much effort, I got my first proper job in February, 2018, at a renowned IT Technology Hub of an oil and gas multinational corporation in Bengaluru. I was recruited as a front office executive. While I was working, I was consistently told that the organisation is very inclusive and gave opportunities to transgender people. My manager initially said, “If there is any concern let us know, we will work on it.”

But many instances of discrimination occurred. The company often had high-profile leaders coming. I was told by my manager to not come in front of the leaders and to stay behind the desk because I didn't know how to attend to the VIPs. They didn't want me to get any visibility. But when I questioned this, I was constantly shoved away with “this is not the right time, we will discuss later”. I was broken and shocked and had no idea what to do. My self-respect and confidence were broken. Similar instances happened consistently. Later, even after my probation period, I was told that these incidents occurred because I was a fresher and didn’t have experience.

I was constantly asked by my manager not to speak with company leaders, other employees, and that I couldn’t be friendly with people because they get “uncomfortable”. This wasn’t new for me but I was shocked that despite being a multinational, I had the same experience as other places. However, this time, I asked who these people were and asked to talk to them directly.

But my demand was brushed away and I was told they couldn’t reveal names. When I pushed, I was asked to take a few days off as I “seemed to be mentally disturbed”.

I felt this was extreme discrimination and harassment. I asked to meet the director of the organisation but again, wasn't allowed. I fail to understand why, when transgender people have started to receive opportunities, their problems are still not heard.

I worked for 11 months at the company but eventually gave in due to discrimination. All the companies push you down and keep saying you should work within certain boundaries which don’t exist for others. I resigned.

‘Felt targeted’

In 2019, I joined an international bank for an internship, the first person selected under their LGBTQ policy. But again the challenge was the hypocritical nature of people. Though it was an internship, I worked on national-level policy for transgender and queer people.

Later, in 2020, I joined another multinational, an agricultural biotechnology and pesticide manufacturing company, and worked for about a year. Here, too, I experienced the same marginalisation and discrimination. Within a month I was given a heavy workload. When I asked why, they said, “It is how corporates work”. For every other thing, I was constantly targeted. I addressed this with my manager but there was no help. I gave one year to the organisation but I was treated so badly, I had to seek medical help.

I was told to be comfortable but after I asked for a few more days off because I was still recovering from some health issues, I was asked to leave. The manager said, “We are sorry we can't give more leave. If you don't feel comfortable, you can leave the job.” Even after speaking with the director of human resources, I had to quit.

In 2022, I joined an e-commerce giant’s Bengaluru office. Again, the diversity policy was more of a lip-service. I was constantly treated badly by not just the manager but also by other colleagues. The team would pass comments and harass me. But it was I who was summoned by the manager and asked why I was getting bad reviews and not speaking properly with other employees. I asked to speak to those people directly but my request was denied. I was constantly told to not apply much makeup. I felt targeted and left the organisation in 2023.

This kind of discrimination and targeting is prevalent everywhere and not just with transgender people but all gender minorities. But transgender people are easily targeted. After years of working, I found that employment and jobs also have politics and rampant favouritism. I still feel there is not much help given to transgender workers, mere lip-service. We are not accepted.

Rakshitha Mallikarjun is a transgender woman and activist based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This piece is an edited version of a conversation with Sheena Sachdeva.