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Original poster

Mixed sex toilets at conference

53 replies

TheAmpleGreyMoose · 14/05/2025 18:31

Work conference today and toilets are marked with diagram for male and female. Inside are sinks for all to use with toilet cubicles, ceiling to floor walls/door and lockable. I’ve not felt comfortable to use them after seeing a man exiting pulling up the fly on his trousers and for fear I’ll meet my senior/male boss in there.
I know the recent SC ruling isn’t all about toilets yet I’m wondering what, if any, reason I have to complain?
Grateful for your advice.

OP posts:
IwantToRetire · 14/05/2025 18:55

Not sure if either of these will help you as it as a workplace event but not held in the workplace.

This is the interim guidance from the EHRC following the Supreme Court ruling https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/interim-update-practical-implications-uk-supreme-court-judgment which includes a section on toilets

And this is a recent update from Sex Matters re toilets https://sex-matters.org/posts/updates/the-truth-about-toilets/

Not sure if either of this will help with what you experienced as it it partly about male behaviour, but also about your workplace not thinking about the implication for employees sharing a facililty but not there as "equals". ie your boss behaving like an immature school boy.

The truth about toilets  - Sex Matters

Does the Equality Act say that male and female toilets always have to be provided?  Does that mean that single-sex toilets do not have to be provided?  What does the Equality Act say about toilets?  What does the Supreme Court ruling mean for toilets? ...

https://sex-matters.org/posts/updates/the-truth-about-toilets/

Offeritup · 14/05/2025 18:50

I think it is grounds for complaint. If it was self contained toilets with a basin and these opened out into a corridor, fine. But I wouldn't like mixed sex toilets either.

BeEagerEagle · 14/05/2025 18:33

I personally wouldn’t care about this one jot if the doors were lockable from the inside only, there weren’t urinals and it was floor to ceiling wall and doors. You can put in feedback requesting separate toilets or ask work to hold the conference elsewhere next time if the venue only had one set of toilets, but I don’t think it’s grounds for a complaint whatsoever.