Landmark Ruling on Transgender Rights: Alexa Hoffmann vs. Court Caribbean Law Practice Handed Down in Barbados on Monday 12 August 2024
In a landmark decision on August 12, 2024, the Employment Rights Tribunal (ERT) ruled against Alexa Hoffmann, a transgender activist who claimed unfair dismissal and gender discrimination by Court Caribbean Law Practice. Hoffmann's case was dismissed because, among other things, they were never presented to the ERT. For the first time, the Employment Rights Tribunal (ERT) addressed an allegation of unfair termination based on gender identity. The case involved Alexa Hoffmann, a transgender activist, and her former employer, Court Caribbean Law Practice. Hoffmann claimed she was unfairly dismissed after changing her name to reflect her gender identity. The employer, however, maintained throughout the case, that there was no law or legal obligation for him to refer to Hoffmann as female, despite her name change from Mr. to Ms. The dispute began when Hoffmann, who claimed she was hired as a legal assistant in August 2015—a point contested by her employer—legally changed her nam...