From Missouri:
Question: What protections, if any, do female officers have when it comes to a transgender person being in their locker room?
Answer: There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Many employers now permit transgender employees to use locker rooms consistent with their gender identity, often based on their interpretation of federal and state anti-discrimination laws. But that does not mean female officers surrender all privacy rights. Employers still have an obligation to address legitimate privacy concerns and, where practical, provide reasonable accommodations for all employees.
As with many workplace issues, the law is evolving faster than collective bargaining agreements. Public safety unions should review applicable laws, evaluate existing policies, and consider negotiating privacy protections before a conflict arises rather than after one. As always, check with your local counsel to better understand the rules in your state.
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