Last Tuesday I emailed our Director of Compliance and Ethics:
"Hi Director
Detailed in Corporate Policy xxx - Human Rights - there is a statement, as below, that lists all the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, plus others, but excludes Sex. Can you tell me why this has been omitted please?
"COMPANYNAME promotes diversity and equality and does not unfairly discriminate on any ground, including (but not limited to): race, caste, religion, colour, ancestry, marital status, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity, age, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law."
I do find it concerning that more and more sex and gender are being used interchangeably when they are not the same thing. The language we use is important, as sex, the biology of male and female, is what is protected in law, not gender, the social construct/stereotypes of masculinity and femininity.
Is there an opportunity to review our policies to ensure we use the word sex where we actually do mean sex?
Thanks, Pixilicious"
After a short email conversation, he's emailed me today to say they have changed it to Sex and it has been approved and will be published shortly!
Woo Hoo!!!
Now for me to go through some more poicies and scrutinise the wording....