GRA pétition circulated at work

[temproasted]

I work for a big organisation and today I spotted that our LGBTQ+ Network Chair posted about the GRA and a link for any 'allies' to sign a petition.

I really wanted to comment but realised this could mean I'd be sacked.

I'm furious to be in this situation and I'm looking for advice as to what I can either post in response (currently just lots of people saying 'signed') or take to HR stating that I'm really unhappy with this.

Will I just lose?

Is it appropriate generally to do political lobbying and petitions in workplaces?

How bloody annoying.

I think I would try and come at it from a slightly different angle. Maybe suggest that work is not the place for ANY petitions to be circulated because it . (I would say something like interfering with work, divisive, unnecessary distraction or whatever). You don't actually have to reference your opinion on this one.

If they disagree then prepare to spam the whole organisation with every petition on every trivial matter you can possibly find "sign if you believe everyone should have free snickers bars", "sign to say you also hate driving on the left" or whatever.

Like you, I have had to be careful. I hate myself for having to be careful. But sometimes victories are pyrrhic if you turn people against you.

Do you need to comment? People can sign and support what they like.

However, if it's causing you distress, as opposed to frustration and annoyance, perhaps you can articulate it and the forward to HR

I did a rant once at work on some internal survey, explaining why I felt sex and gender where different and why both are important, explaining how I experienced both sex and gender based discrimination

Since then I have been impressed that whilst fully supporting all types of diversity, they still know what the equality act is.

There is a vocal twaw Crewe but they haven't yet been able to take over

Thanks for the advice all. Btw no idea why I got an accent on petition but liking the French-ness it gives the post No I don't need to comment I just can't bear the mindless 'I've signed' comments of people who I sure don't understand the wider issues and just see a good, woke thing that needs to be done

I agree with Pumba and Bubbly and think it's a fair point to make. It's inappropriate to start circulating petitions around the workplace, only possible exceptions I can think of, is if it's something related to the company sent out by your employers themselves, or if it's a personal matter for one of the employees. But any old petition, definitely not.

I think I would try and come at it from a slightly different angle. Maybe suggest that work is not the place for ANY petitions to be circulated because it . (I would say something like interfering with work, divisive, unnecessary distraction or whatever). You don't actually have to reference your opinion on this one

Good advice. I'd also make the point that a senior manager sending round anything political can make staff feel co-erced into agreeing, and make the workspace feel less comfortable for people with different opinions. As @BubblyMilk says, keep your objections to the principle of circulating petitions, and say nothing about the subject of this one.

You might want to use the analogy of religion: of course, everyone is free to practise their religion, and workplaces are inclusive, but you still wouldn't want a senior manager who was a Christian (say), circulating details of a church service and encouraging everyone else to attend.

Commenting on a petition is not gross misconduct and is therefore not going to lead to dismissal unless you were extremely rude and insulting about an individual. Even then it's a stretch to say that you would be sacked and not just given a warning.

Why would you complain to HR, they haven't started the petition and get really fed up with being dragged into squabbles that are nothing to do with HR like the playground monitor.

Are you able to make a civil comment about not wishing to sign because you think the government has made the right decision from the perspective of the existing balance of rights?

"I don't do petitions at work."
"I don't think politics in the work place is appropriate regardless of how sympathetic I am to a cause."
"Petitions are pointless and a waste of time"
"Petitions are have data collection and privacy related issues, so I don't do them".

Reply saying 'I wont be signing this petition and I would appreciate if no more were sent around, as, for extremely personal reasons, I find having to think about my gender very triggering'

They might think you're a de transitioner but hey ho. I find you can shut any woowoo crap down just by mentioning the word 'triggering'

Not sure if this is in the context of Scotland (where they may be wanting to push the government to move forward on proposed GRA "reform") or in England/Wales (where they may be opposing Liz Truss's alleged plans to enforce EA2010).

Does the person posting about it make an argument and give background? Does the petition? I think I would (1) call out any demonstrable inaccuracies - this may actually raise questions about whether there should be petitions in the workplace at all as they could be misleading/deceptive. OR (2) if there's little/no information, ask questions without necessarily stating views. If they have provided convincing and accurate information but you feel they haven't covered certain aspects like possible negative impacts, then you're stuck - you can try 2, but you might find yourself having to speak out publicly and reveal that you already have an opinion on the issue. Perhaps you could find a relevant critique of GRA reform (whatever aspect they're promoting) and post it asking what people think of this viewpoint you came across/a friend shared/ etc.?

Thanks for the really interesting input.

It's England so the Liz Truss consultation and he's specifically mentioned TW access to women only spaces (ie that it's a bad thing that this will be prevented). He's also stated that there are inaccuracies and bigoted views on social media in the trans debate.

It's annoys me that because he's presented this as 'fact' and whilst not a really senior manager he is in a key position with lots of recognition. I just want to say that whilst I see myself as an 'ally' to the network (ie supporting my LBG colleagues) I don't agree with his view about the GRA reform.

I don't think I can though. Maybe saying I'd be sacked is a bit OTT but I do think it's possible. The way any argument to this could be viewed is saying that I'm not inclusive - and whilst that's absolutely ridiculous I can see how it could be perceived.

We also have an online pride event tonight with drag acts apparently.

But some Adult human female stickers and pop them up in the women’s toilets. Discussion may then begin where he can’t see.

Buy, not but...

They might think you're a de transitioner but hey ho. I find you can shut any woowoo crap down just by mentioning the word 'triggering'

@Redyellowpink That's the best suggestion right there! I'd even pretend I was "questioning my gender" to beat them at their own game. You'd get instant respect too, because that's how twisted the whole thing is.

@temproasted

I work for a big organisation and today I spotted that our LGBTQ+ Network Chair posted about the GRA and a link for any 'allies' to sign a petition.

I really wanted to comment but realised this could mean I'd be sacked.

I'm furious to be in this situation and I'm looking for advice as to what I can either post in response (currently just lots of people saying 'signed') or take to HR stating that I'm really unhappy with this.

Will I just lose?

Just say you don't get involved in any politics in the workplace. Keep it short and sweet.

What do you think the grounds for dismissal are when you say "I agree with the government"?

Petitions at work - what's to stop people, if this is apparently 'acceptable', circulating petitions that are not 'politically correct'?

@FantaOra that's a really good point!

It's interesting to me that once people - particularly those on the left - believe that their position is "right thinking" or "ethically correct" they adopt the position that any alternative position is "morally indefensible" and "wrong thinking".

I was like that too, til Brexit and Corbyn/ momentum pulled the rug from under my comfy feet and I saw the authoritarianism and intolerance of "liberal" people.

I would be too scared to say anything too. It's wrong but I have sadly concluded that I am not a very brave person.

We don't need to be brave, we need to be smart and work out how to play their game.

There have been 3 useful suggestions so far on this thread;
ask if politics in the workplace is acceptable
ask if you'll be in any trouble for supporting the current law
point out that a petition that comes from management, or where people can see the names of people who have sighed puts undue pressure on everyone.

There have been lots of really useful suggestions so thank you all so much. I will take forward at some point today!

How about something along the lines of: thank you for bringing this to my attention, obviously you wouldn’t want me to sign anything that I haven’t thoroughly looked into. I’ve done a lot of reading about the subject and I looked at what the government have said about this topic and read up on those issues, I have some literature to hand out to everyone about so they too can make up their own minds. I’ve decided that I agree with the current laws.