Sexual discrimination?

[Cleikumstovies]

If a person refuses to speak to a receptionist because of their sex, and demands one of the other sex, is that sexual discrimination?

Ds working at a GP surgery - only man, with ten women taking calls for appointments. Patients call for appointments. Staff ask " do you mind giving me an idea what the issue is?". Most happy to say, some say it's personal - not a problem for the staff. If it's "lady bits" the staff will book a double appointment to allow a PV exam. No pressure on patients.

In the last two weeks he has had four women upon hearing his voice say " I need to speak to a woman, not a man". We'd appreciate thoughts before he makes a complaint.

I'm quite happy to discuss the reason for my appointment with a male or female receptionist. I expect there are some men who won't speak to a female receptionist too......

I don't think this is sexual discrimination. I think some people would prefer to speak to a woman, in the same way that some people would prefer a female doctor for certain issues.

When it comes to private medical issues then I absolutely believe it's within the patient's right to discuss their problem with someone of the same sex. If this wasn't allowed then this could deter people from actually going to the doctors and getting things checked which could have very serious consequences.

Presumably most calls at a doctor's surgery aren't of this nature so your DS will still be able to help the vast majority of callers.

Who are you going to complain to and what would you like them to do?

It's lawful to request a same sex healthcare provider in the UK. Your son is asking for personal health information so I'm not sure if that would be covered but either way what would you like the surgery to do? Force women to discuss personal information with your son or refuse to give them an appointment?

Surely if they say they prefer to speak to someone of the same sex then your son understands "it's personal" which is an answer he's happy to accept from other patients so he could just say something to that affect and arrange an appointment?

Is it you or your son that's offended? One or both of you need to understand that womens boundaries cannot be disregarded just because a man's feelings are hurt.

What are you expecting to happen, if you make a complaint? That they'll force female patients to give your son sensitive medical information that they're uncomfortable sharing with a man, or deny them an appointment if they refuse?

His answer should be "no problem, let me just transfer you over to my colleague."

No, women can chose who they discuss their private medical information with.

I have no idea what you would expect the workplace to do about this. Refuse appointments to women who don’t want to disclose potentially private information to a man?

You have no idea of their reason for calling or the nature of the call, never mind their history with men.

Don't be ridiculous. It's bad enough patients are being asked to share private sensitive information with receptionists at all, never mind accusing them of sex discrimination too.

You can't complain to the people who refused to speak to him.

Totally agree. What a silly thread!

He wants to put in a complaint about women not wanting to share their personal information? What did you say when he old you about this?

My 14 year old has more compassion and understanding for women than your grown son seems to!

Members of the public do not have any duty to comply with the Equality Act, which only sets out duties for service providers, public bodies and employers.

So what would your complaint be, exactly?

Additionally, isn't it perfectly reasonable and common for women to feel uncomfortable mentioning certain health problems to a man? (and vice versa too, perhaps).

Obviously it is up to the GP practice how far they can accommodate these requests, depending on how busy they are, etc. But if they weren't at least open to accommodating them, they may even find that they are sexually discriminating against female patients (if women are more likely than men to feel a need for same-sex staff).

Is your DS really expecting sympathy over this issue? Ridiculous.

Men often ask to speak to male GPs for prostate problems etc.

women often ask to speak to female GPs for women’s problems.

if they are expected to explain their problems in detail to a receptionist I expect this would extend to the receptionist.

You want to force women to speak to your son about topics they’d never usually speak to a stranger man about?

Of course people can see a GP.of whatever sex they wish. He knows that. He along with all receptionists asks "Do you mind telling me..." Not demanding to know. If the patients say it's private etc then he is fine with that as I have said.

It is the issue of patients wanting to be so Trumpian as to demand a receptionist of their own sex to simply book an appointment that is discrimination.

Two tier attitudes.

Discrimination is legal if it's a proportionate means to achieve a legitimate aim. A vast number of women do not wish to discuss some parts of their bodies with an unknown male person. You need to teach your son to get the fuck over his sense of entitlement, not make a complaint. If any woman does not wish to discuss any intimate part of her body with him and his response is to make a complaint about it (rather than simply stepping back and letting a female colleague speak with them) then I have to really wonder why. Is he going to get a kick out of hearing those details? Does knowing how uncomfortable she is talking about it to him, but having the power to force her to do it anyway, make him happy? Why does he care? Why does he have so littlr respect for the women who are seeking medical advice? Why does he think his preferences should take priority over hers? He may be in the wrong job.

Have you not read the replies OP?

We know what you're saying.

We don't agree.

What on earth are you on about? What is "Trumpian" about asking to speak with a female receptionist??

And what two tier attitude are you referring to?

But the 4 callers clearly had a reason they needed to speak to a woman.

Wind up

Perfectly reasonable for a woman to want to speak to a woman in this situation. Perhaps your son is in the wrong job.

So you've raised him to be a controlling, entitled, misogynist?

GP receptionists are notorious for demanding to know what the problem is. Some people will not know they can be vague and do not need to go into too much detail. Perhaps your son could learn some professional strategies for handling those calls so that they are dealt with efficiently and without awkwardness.

Trumpian 🤣

I can understand a bit what your son feels but does it matter? He is not being disadvantaged by this.
On the other hand, in my experience there are very few male GP receptionists. How are men supposed to deal with this problem if they do not want to explain to a female that they are having "man problems" and there is no male receptionist at the surgery?

Who should I ask about hairy hands? Seriously, WTF is 'Trumpian' about not wanting to discuss anything concerning my health with a man? You're ridiculous.