Article in the Daily Express on John Lewis and Changing Rooms

It was like watching rats deserting a sinking ship as men started to quickly leave the changing rooms (peering at the sign as they went - is didn’t specify sex). It amused me.

I have corresponded further and I won't copy the whole chain in case it's a bit excessive but the most recent email from JL&P said:

'I would like to clarify that at John Lewis & Partners, the changing rooms are not mixed. We have simply allowed our customers to use whichever fitting room makes them feel the most comfortable. This is not with the intention of creating an air of alarm or insecurity.

As previously stated, we believe that everyone has the right to be and feel safe, secure and respected while working or shopping. There is no place for abusive behaviour, including any form of discrimination, in our shops or in our Partnership.

Please be advised, there is still privacy and safety within our changing rooms. Each customer has their own cubicle, as they always have done, which is concealed and private.

The notion of offering an alternative space encourages segregation within our customers. Here at John Lewis & Partners, we believe in inclusivity and comfort, not to the detriment of any group of persons.

Regarding this matter, I have forwarded your case to the Director Relations department who will be in touch in due course.'

Is it reasonable to accept the point that the cubicles remain private? I mean, I used to feel comfortable that I could step out of the cubicle to show a friend my clothes or to look in the mirror outside the cubicle, but I guess that's not necessarily something we are obliged to be able to do?

It does feel a bit disingenuous to say that the changing rooms are not mixed sex. If you are inviting a man who identifies as a woman to use the changing room they feel most comfortable in, and they choose the female changing room, then surely it is...?

NB the person at JL&P has not been able to explain to me how the policy isn't discriminatory towards women who have strong religious beliefs that preclude them from sharing a mixed sex space for changing. (I guess that's because they don't consider them 'mixed sex')

I think the attitude of sorting out an issue after it has occurred is the most harmful aspect of this and I am struggling to see why companies are quite so willing to state this publicly and think it's a good approach..
We are going to do this until someone gets hurt and then we might act, sort of, maybe.
Women are being offered up as tethered goats.

Their shiny new HR system asks staff for their gender but does not record their sex.
Stonewall definitions trump legal ones apparently

Yep - the staff Equality / Diversity Policy studiously avoids the word “sex” and uses “gender” instead.

yeah well, John Lewis lost out on us spending on two undercounter freezers and a fridge freezer due to this policy. They were our preferred shop. they will not be getting a replacement washing machine either which will be coming up soon.

It's very simple- use the Men's changing rooms. Any partner that says "oh, excuse me Madam" will get short shrift- I'm wearing trousers, carry no handbag, I'm more comfortable in the men's than queueing for the women's, thanks.

Had to name change.

JL are currently making a big deal of going after Mothercare's customers. You would have thought respecting & valuing mothers would be in their interests.

JL allow staff to write to their internal publication anonymously to raise their concerns on any topic and receive a response from a senior manager.
I tried. The response was basically we are inclusive so be kind.

Their shiny new HR system asks staff for their gender but does not record their sex.
Stonewall definitions trump legal ones apparently.

I received this in reply from JL (they were prompt at least).

'Thank you for contacting John Lewis & Partners.

I understand that you have contacted us regarding our customers being able to choose which changing rooms they feel most comfortable using based on the gender with which they identify.

Whilst I can appreciate that you may feel some trepidation about this news, I would like to inform you that John Lewis aims to be an inclusive business. This is to ensure all of our customers are welcome to use whichever fitting room makes them feel the most comfortable.

As a co-owned business we ensure that all of our Partners understand their responsibilities and exercise their judgement appropriately if any customer were to act inappropriately, the necessary action would be taken.

In order to close your account, please click here to be redirected to the Customer Rights page on the Waitrose website (Please read the information on this page) or follow the steps below:
Go to www.johnlewis.com
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Our privacy notice”
Scroll down and click “12. What are your rights over your personal data?”
Click “completing an online form”
Follow the steps detailed
You will then need to fill out a form to request that your account is to be removed and when prompted, select "Right to Erasure". Your request will be dealt with as quickly as possible. Soon after submitting it, you’ll receive an acknowledgement, sent by your chosen contact method.

Kind regards,

XXXXX
my John Lewis'

I've responded, pointing out that women who are in fact 'uncomfortable' with using a mixed sex changing room don't have the choice about where they can go. Pointing out that it's not very inclusive towards women whose religious beliefs preclude them from using a mixed sex changing room. Pointing out that the EA 2010 not only states that single sex spaces are allowed but that it's within the relevant SEX GROUP that inclusivity needs to be featured - so unlawful not to allow a transman in, not that you have to allow a transwoman.
Pointing out that it's not very 'kind' to act AFTER a woman has been groped, flashed at, assaulted or made to feel uncomfortable - and in fact this is very tone deaf in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder and the wave of acknowledgement from women how unsafe they often feel in every day life. I'm not holding my breath for a reply though.

I did thank them for the advice on how to close my account, this at least was helpful.

I complained to JL a few years ago about this greetings card and they basically said it was a great seller so they didn’t care about the message it sent.

I realise waitrose is part of JL but I also have farm animal welfare concerns, and like meat, so I compromise and spend a modest amount there. I'd prefer not to, but my other option has almost no free range meat. They won't grow fat on my bacon consumption.

Just emailed John Lewis to ask them to close my online account and told them why. I’ve not really been using them since it looked like they were going down this route but hadn’t closed my account. Previously they were my first port of call for many items.

Waitrose is John Lewis.

I wrote to John Lewis, and M&S, in Nov '19 with recent examples from national press, and a link to Fair Play For Women's excellent explanation of the legality of Single Sex spaces under the 2010 Equality Act. Both sent anodyne replies, assuring me that in the aftermath of an incident they would take the necessary action! Well that's all right then isn't it, silly me!!

After a brief exchange of emails JL sent the attached reply, M&S just ignored me. I had to conclude they just DON'T CARE ABOUT WOMEN I've not been in M&S since, and use waitrose for higher welfare pork, and free newspapers. I have saved thousands I think, and discovered fantastic local businesses. I'm sure JL and M&S are delighted not to be tainted by my filthy lucre.

I think we should use the mens, per Highame's suggestion. Also is everyone writing to JL?

Sorry, that should read:

John Lewis also seems to have a problem including “sex” as a protected characteristic:

John Lewis also seems to include “sex” as a protected characteristic:

We positively celebrate diversity & inclusion in the John Lewis Partnership. Truly embracing individuals’ contributions, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion or belief. Having a diverse and inclusive culture throughout the business is vital for our future success and that’s why it is at the heart of our ultimate purpose; the happiness of all our Partners.

www.jlpjobs.com/about/diversityandinclusion/?utm_source=linkedIn&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=employer%20brand&utm_content=0910_Partnership_Networks

Tibtom that’s true. Probably safer in the changing rooms where men are actually respecting the fact men and women have different spaces.
Only problem is it probably wouldn’t annoy them. Unless they struggle to find vacant cubicles.
Ffs JL. I have spent a FORTUNE there. I’m going to email them and tell them why they’ve lost a customer.

Mark’s and Spencer Corporate People Policy:

Treating everyone equally regardless of age, gender, gender reassignment, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, hours of work, nationality, religion or belief, marital or civil partner status, disfigurement, political opinions or sexual orientation.

We treat all colleagues with dignity and respect and expect colleagues to treat each other and our customers in the same way.

So Gender not Sex.

Which is isn’t in compliance with their commitment to uphold national law either.

corporate.marksandspencer.com/documents/plan-a-our-approach/mns-people-principles.pdf

This has been their policy for a while. That screenshot from Twitter is gross and the fact they don't seem to grasp what can happen in mixed changing rooms means their a no from me.

Wasn't there a story recently about a Sainsbury's staff member filming female colleagues in the changing rooms last year?

Wasn’t there a story recently if a police officer covertly filming female colleagues in a gender neutral changing area at their station? I think we can guess how seriously such crimes are taken even if reported!