Civil Service Trans policy - what can I do?

If you haven't already, check other HR policies to check that the actual Equality Act 2010 is correctly quoted there are specific protected characteristics. Sex is one, Gender reassignment is another. Gender and Gender Identity are not. Many policies including in public services, councils etc were misquoting their original Diversity and Inclusion policies so its unsurprising that there was confusion with the application.

There's information here about how Councils were successfully challenged about their incorrect policies:
womansplaceuk.org/sex-is-a-protected-characteristic/

Transactivists have lobbied to remove single sex ememptions but this has not (yet?) happened.
womansplaceuk.org/references-to-removal-of-single-sex-exemptions/

I'd be tempted to put patronising signs up and colour changing wee aim spots in those.

Not only are government offices increasingly moving to mixed sex toilets (there's a creep at the DfE who is renowned for removing sex segregated spaces for women) but now women are being policed by the same dodgy men for our behaviour when entering women's toilets. The level of intrusion and appropriation knows no bounds.

Serial bullying and intimidation of women in the workplace.

We're very woke at work and have single occupant non sex specific toilets. Which I was fine with at first but have now realised how grim they are with piss all over the floor, seat, front of the toilet, etc.

I was hovering over the piss yesterday and pissed down my leg and added to the puddle on the floor. Hate using the toilets at work.

Its in breach of equality legislation so its not legally binding. They can't enforce it, and they cant legally penalise staff who abide by the law.

There was a thread last year when someone with law background said that there were requirements for single sex toilets in separate workplace legislation. Its in the context of unisex/ mixed toilet provision but might be worth looking at:

AllyMcBeagle Tue 08-May-18 13:14:37
"I would ask them how they are complying with the reg 20 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/3004/regulation/20/made

Not my area of law but I understand this provision is interpreted as requiring separate rooms (floor to ceiling cubicles is not enough)."

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3243189-Uncomfortable-about-unisex-toilets-at-work?pg=2

see also:
It was discussed with regards some male students unhappiness here:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3241624-dirty-protest-over-somerville-college-oxford-s-gender-neutral-loos

& some women's unhappiness here:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3237230-NUS-Conference-breaks-down-after-the-UK-Border-Force-Arrive

thread discussed some of the reasons women use public loos:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3203454-What-do-you-use-the-womens-toilets-for

Clara Greed is expert in toilet provisions and spoke at WPUK Bath (its a fascinating speech)
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3427591-WPUK-Bath-fascinating-important-speech-by-Clara-Greed-Professor-of-Inclusive-Urban-Planning-specialist-in-toilet-provision-with-particular-emphasis-upon-womens-needs

Also with regards the misapplication of the Equality Act 2010, Cambridge City Council eventually recognised that the incorrect transgender provision addded which was pushed through by Cllr Sarah Bown (also Stonewall & LibDems) was incorrect. It was challenged by Anne Sinnott

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3322389-labour-councillor-quits-in-row-over-facilities-for-trans-people-the-times

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3376567-anne-sinnott-vindicated-she-was-right

Cross post with Milly!

Thank you, Millytant. I'll send it again but put in a new first paragraph making that crystal clear.

Singing - write to Javid via his Home Office email rather than his constituency one. In his capacity as a minister, he is obliged to answer any voter's questions, not just the voters in his own constituency.

Sadly, Mr Javid's makes it clear that under parliamentary rules, he is only able to respond to emails from his own constituents and I don't live in Bromsgrove.

Total Crap

Make it clear you are writing to him in his official capacity as Home Secretary, a job whose salary is paid by your taexes and mine.

A minion will answer you, but it will be on file that he received it.

It would also be worth emailing the Times.

Have emailed James Kirkup now. I've also received auto-replies from my MP and Sajid Javid. Sadly, Mr Javid's makes it clear that under parliamentary rules, he is only able to respond to emails from his own constituents and I don't live in Bromsgrove. Even so, he (or more probably a member of his staff) will still see my email.

I realise the document is not a policy document. However, my own experience of the Civil Service (and I'm happy to be corrected on this) is that it will still be treated as gospel. How long, then, before it slides through the grey area and actually becomes policy? Only national embarrassment will stop it.

Where there are changing facilities, showers etc., consideration needs to be given to ensure appropriate privacy for all staff, including transsexual staff members. If one is required to change into work clothes or uniform then an employer is obliged to ensure attention to the issues of privacy of all staff, for instance by the installation of individual changing and showering cubicles.

This could prove rather expensive for the nhs. In my last workplace we had a short narrow corridor, door with lock one end, loo other end, lockers one side and cost hooks the other. Mostly female ward staff changing into uniforms. Assorted male staff including consultants and cleaners wandering in to go to the loo (the only staff loo). A few of them got a full frontal from me but hey, nothing they hadn't seen before.

My new location has a large changing room for female staff. Two loo cubicles and one shower. Haven't had the pleasure but I believe some of the male Dr's wander in to use the shower after cycling to work.

Similar provision around the hospital.

I've skimmed through parts of the document and am horrified by the paragraphs I've read. It reads as if self ID is already with us in practice and the references to the EA do not inspire confidence. In every instance it seems that trans rights trump women's rights.

I'm alarmed and pissed off that employees are being advised to think about how their actions maybe perceived by others. It would be wonderful if I had the power to control how others perceived me but I don't and I am not responsible for managing the emotions of colleagues when I'm just going about my business.

It looks like the equalities act needs to be updated if the interpretation of it, in this document, is an accurate reflection of lawful application.

This is a complete mess and I wonder where employers and managers will stand if staff are harmed as a result of this guidance, I note it isn't titled as a policy document.

www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/what-equality-law-means-for-your-business-2018.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3F939wM3GpaTpwrAVZhUq2CFpzRWMa651-bjq0cSQmcDQ1HLF-myHj8NQ
fairplayforwomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/EA2010_womensrights_-factsheet.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1syYjQzI-RFQyjYq-uA2TjDdREMLzkwHSFWbb-MpbSxZV5ZsfnUTpUraY

It doesn't need to be leaked as such. The document is out there. You just need to Google it. Im going to try emailing James Kirkup now.

On another thread Trousering who works in HR said that you can use the protected category of religion if you register a complaint. Basically a male body being female is a belief and if it's against your belief they have to respect that and cannot bring any sanctions against you.

You could message them for more precise info. They said they are willing to help people in this situation.

Or even better, leak it to one of the Times journalists? Andrew whatsisface? This is surely a whistleblowing concern given they are destroying women's rights.

We just have to assume. Better 1000 women get assaulted, photographed, oggled by a sneaky man, pee their pants rather than share a space, than one transvestite have their feelings hurt be made to feel ‘unladylike’.

Oooooorrrrrrt

Everyone just flush your sanitary towels down the loo until management get the point

womansplaceuk.org/gender-neutral-toilets-dont-work-for-women-2/?fbclid=IwAR3F939wM3GpaTpwrAVZhUq2CFpzRWMa651-bjq0cSQmcDQ1HLF-myHj8NQ

Can you leak it to Fair Play for Women or somewhere organisation for some public naming and shaming via twitter? Also via Permanent Undersecretary?

That policy totally contravenes the EqA with regard to sex, which. Is still a protected characteristic. Sex based rights, valid under the EqA are being treated in am inferior manner to gender nonsense.

Not the home office is it? There is a deeply damaged trans individual making a lot of fuss there at the moment.

But how are we supposed to know if a TW has a GRC, as we are not allowed to enquire in any way, let alone ask for evidence of the certificate?

This is just self-ID without the label and women just have to know our place.

Images of uteruses are literal violence.

(Images of penises are fine apparently, as usually all over toilets)

What frank says.