A better working life for trans people

In October 2024, a Nordic conference was held on the conditions of trans people in working life. A new publication summarises the knowledge and key messages from the conference, which was organised on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The conference was based on the knowledge review ‘Trans people’s working life conditions in the Nordic region’, published by NIKK in spring 2024. The knowledge review compiles results from Nordic studies, and the overall picture shows that trans people* face particular obstacles in their working lives. Discrimination and poor treatment affect recruitment processes as well as the work environment and opportunities for career development, which has a concrete impact, not least on trans people’s finances.

During the conference, knowledge and experiences were shared from research, politics, authorities, labour market actors and civil society organisations. The responsibility of employers and trade unions was particularly emphasised. Discrimination against transgender people is prohibited in all Nordic countries, but it still continues. This is shown, for example, in the study ‘Hiring Discrimination Against Transgender People: Evidence from a Field Experiment’, presented during the conference in Stockholm.

“Discrimination is not just a perception but a measurable, real problem that affects trans people” said Ali Ahmed, researcher at Linköping University, and initiator of the study.

Several of the conference speakers emphasised the need for action in the Nordic countries to ensure compliance with discrimination laws. For example, the need for training for recruiters on how to avoid discrimination was highlighted. While trans people are excluded from the labour market, there are also problems in the workplace. During the conference, several recent reports and guides were presented that offer guidance for employers.

Experts also emphasised the need to tackle disinformation about transgender people, negative stereotypes that also find their way into the workplace.

Working life does not happen in a vacuum, but is of course influenced by what happens in the surrounding society”, said conference moderators El Häkkinen and Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir.

In the publication ‘A better working life for transgender people’ you can find out more about the conference, which was organised by NIKK.

* Being transgender means that your gender identity does not correspond to the sex you were assigned at birth.

A better working life for trans people

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