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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Co-op removes trans inclusive toilet policy

83 replies

IwantToRetire · 16/08/2026 22:18

The Co-op’s previous internal policy stated: “If the toilets where you work are gender-specific, you should use the ones you feel safest in. We’ll never expect you, or ask you, to use the disabled toilets instead, but of course if you feel most comfortable using them, then that’s fine.”

These sentences have been removed from the policy, which now states: “We know that for people who identify as trans, or non-binary, or intersex, it’s [sic] may be difficult to feel comfortable and/or safe using gendered toilets. For the comfort and privacy of all colleagues, wherever possible we will provide gender-neutral individual lockable units, with inclusive signage.”

It is not clear yet what this will mean in practice.

https://www.thetimes.com/article/6772d1ec-d619-4e4f-b952-395e268f63bb and archive at https://archive.ph/9JMRb

Verifying Device

https://www.thetimes.com/article/6772d1ec-d619-4e4f-b952-395e268f63bb

OP posts:
DialSquare · 17/08/2026 14:43

Oh what a shame. I’m sure he’ll be back.

Dollymylove · 17/08/2026 14:42

Plenty of small workplaces have just one toilet for staff, male and female. They are contained units with a sink and hand dryer. I have worked in these establishments and there has never been a problem

KittyWilkinson · 17/08/2026 14:35

MrsOvertonsWindow · 17/08/2026 14:29

Lots of identical phrases to recent PBPs it seems.

Yes. I always want to say is that yoooo ( insert selection of girly names). But sense kicks in.

I wonder if they are having Angel Delight for tea?

I'm on the custard slices personally. I may even stick my little finger out like a lady.

MarieDeGournay · 17/08/2026 14:34

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Do you agree that in workplaces with more than one staff toilet, with the usual configuration of two sets of toilets, one designated for women and one for men, and adapted toilets for the use of disabled employees, the employer is obliged to require trans employees [unless disabled] to use the toilet designated for their biological sex, not their gender ID?

That's all they're being asked to do - confirm that company policy is in accordance with the EA2010/Workplace Regs 1992, and require employees to comply with company policy.

DialSquare · 17/08/2026 14:33

BackToLurk · 17/08/2026 14:32

@ColorMeSurprised

As I, and others have stated already, Co-Op tend to have smaller stores and those stores almost overwhelming have only one toilet space in them.

I used to work for the Co-op at a corporate level and visited many stores. I'd be interested to know where you got your information that they "overwhelming [sic] have only one toilet space in them".

Probably from a jamboree bag, like the rest of his information.

ColorMeSurprised · 17/08/2026 14:33

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Clusterfuckular · 17/08/2026 14:32

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Patronising us doesn't work, mate. Nor does trying to rile us up. Pet.

BackToLurk · 17/08/2026 14:32

@ColorMeSurprised

As I, and others have stated already, Co-Op tend to have smaller stores and those stores almost overwhelming have only one toilet space in them.

I used to work for the Co-op at a corporate level and visited many stores. I'd be interested to know where you got your information that they "overwhelming [sic] have only one toilet space in them".

MrPrettyDamnCosmic · 17/08/2026 14:32

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I don't know what you wrote but MNHQ didn't like it.

BTW You still haven't answered my question.

Clusterfuckular · 17/08/2026 14:31

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Fucksake.

If a service is restricted to one sex or the other, it must be according to and on the basis of biological sex.

Otherwise, it is discrimination.

Equality Act.

ColorMeSurprised · 17/08/2026 14:30

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ColorMeSurprised · 17/08/2026 14:29

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MrsOvertonsWindow · 17/08/2026 14:29

KittyWilkinson · 17/08/2026 14:26

He didn't answer mine. Not really engaging in good faith imo just looking for a ruck it seems by the tone of his posts.

Lots of identical phrases to recent PBPs it seems.

KittyWilkinson · 17/08/2026 14:28

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Yeah. Well I've got to go and watch some paint dry in the women's bogs, so fill yer boots mate but I won't be joining you.

KittyWilkinson · 17/08/2026 14:26

MrPrettyDamnCosmic · 17/08/2026 14:24

I noticed your attempted deflection talking about small retail stores but ignored it as we are talking about use of staff toilets.

BTW You didn't answer my question.

He didn't answer mine. Not really engaging in good faith imo just looking for a ruck it seems by the tone of his posts.

ColorMeSurprised · 17/08/2026 14:26

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MrPrettyDamnCosmic · 17/08/2026 14:24

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I noticed your attempted deflection talking about small retail stores but ignored it as we are talking about use of staff toilets.

BTW You didn't answer my question.

KittyWilkinson · 17/08/2026 14:23

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I'll respond.
You appear to be in a right old froth about women wanting single sex spaces.
The Co Op is a big employer. The Regs apply. Hth.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 17/08/2026 14:20

Grammarnut · 17/08/2026 14:07

I remember when the co-op had superstores (I shopped in one) and owned acres for their farms, which were ethically run. It's a pity that has gone and we have far less ethical supermarkets that rip farmers off and send their profits out of the country. As to the trans issue, I think if the co-op polled its members (I am one) they'd find their trans inclusive language was not supported, but that the majority of us are sex realists (like the rest of the world).

How true.

All the available data backs up that the population are generally sex realists - the exception being some of the young who've been relentlessly bullied by those who can only sneer and threaten as they try to impose their narrow beliefs on an unconsenting population.

ColorMeSurprised · 17/08/2026 14:16

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ColorMeSurprised · 17/08/2026 14:14

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AgentPidge · 17/08/2026 14:14

MitheredNotDead · 17/08/2026 08:36

There’s also funeral care, places like Angel Square in Manchester and other branches of the Co-op that have bigger toilet facilities.

When I worked for them I remember looking at the intranet policy that gave generous paid leave for ‘transition appointments’.

I however, being a cunty woman, was in tears of pain having to be in work after gynae surgery as I had to adhere to normal sick leave policies 😡

Edited

A cunty woman? I love it! I vote for that to replace 'cis'.

MarieDeGournay · 17/08/2026 14:13

ColorMeSurprised It only becomes a problem when the GC Cult get involved.

I'm plagiarising a poster on another thread by saying this, but even with a choice of only two ends, you've managed to get the wrong end of the stick!

This would not be an issue if a small but noisy, often aggressive and sometimes violent group of men and their allies hadn't started to demand to use facilities that were not designate for them.

Why they did this, why a tiny % of the male population took it into their heads that they were entitled to use the facilities designated for women - who knows? it's so irrational that future students of mid-21st century Western society will have a field-day trying to explain it!

The TRA obsession with peeing in the Ladies' is so overwhelming that even the FWS/UKSC case, which was about something else entirely, has been received by the trans community as [a] all about them and [b] all about not being allowed pee in the Ladies'.

Peeing is so central to so much of the TRA discourse that one would be forgiven for thinking that when the 'T' was stuck onto 'LGB', it actually stood for Toilets!

KittyWilkinson · 17/08/2026 14:10

deadpantrashcan · 17/08/2026 14:02

Why is it a problem to have blue hair?

Discrimination against Man City supporters obvs. Outrageous.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 17/08/2026 14:09

I see we have another sour new poster to Mumsnet, dominating a thread, forced teaming (us, we 🙄) the predictable darvo and and hurling around teenage level insults at the mummies they despise so much. 😂

Poor dears. Imagine spending their summer sneering at women just because men aren't allowed in women's single sex spaces. Their fury is quite the spectacle.