I’ve joined Stonewall’s last (?) stronghold. 😫

[OnceAgainWithFeeling]

Changed jobs earlier this year. I’m in HR. Have had several run ins with the EDI lead about not collecting any data on sex to inform eg need for menopause support and it being the actual protected characteristic. She agreed. Or so I thought.

New boss started a couple of months back and today I’ve been subjected to pronouns at the start of every meeting, talk of the Women’s network, menopause, misogyny and everyday sexism but then also Stonewall, pride network, the gender identity policy being developed.

I feel like it’s closing in on me. An interview candidate led with an example of someone complaining about pronouns on badges - they did not wish to have them (nor do I) but instead of making that an option, an additional pop up box was developed to “educate dissenters”. I left the NHS to come here, which has distanced itself from SW. I felt so positive about the role, which is demanding enough as it is.

I’ve updated my CV today. :(

*for being SO upset

I'm looking to make contact with GC women working in the HR profession. I want to get a group organised for us!

There are a few people in this thread working in HR and I do too. I really want to get a grassroots HR group together but I know it's not easy being openly GC and keep a good career in HR. I'm happy to do this with people staying anon - maybe a Twitter DM group is a good way to start? Anyone up for joining me?

and to the OP - I'm really sorry you are going through this in what sounds like a great job otherwise.

We need to support each other in HR as teachers, midwives, nurses and others are doing in grassroots groups for their professions.

That’s the spirit @LoonyQuine I knew someone would be thinking of it!

I’m not in HR but have experience enough to know that HR need to understand and work within employment law, not Stonewall law.

It’s about time that HR had its own GC grassroots group. It’s really important, I hope your plan works!

Thank you and I hope it works too!

I know as a junior HR person I read Personnel Today for guidance and interesting cases to learn from and have complained to them about some of their articles citing Maya Forstater and pitching her views against employment lawyers (completely unfair in my opinion even though she's fab).

I'm still a consultant so know the danger and risks of being known publicly for my views but I'm also experienced enough to know we have to work together as a profession.

The organisation that took us over in January are a stonewall diversity champion, have just been awarded ‘ a great place to work’(TM) and have, just this week, invited us all for some inclusivity training.

There’s about 8 sessions, including pronouns and psychological safety, so it’s going to all be about trans. I’m going to attend, keep my mouth shut and take notes.

This is an organisation that is trying really hard to attract more women. I don’t think they’ve thought it through.

Unfortunately you keeping your mouth shut isnt going to change anything. So you need to speak up - every time the Equalities Act is ignored or misquoted you need to comment, following up with an email. I would really recommend references to legal cases and corporate liability. I normally find that EDI training is driven by certain factors - so keep broadening the discussion.

I used to be a Trustee for a well run charity. Our Trustee with specific responsibility for EDI was from a non-white background. He was male - any thing he brought to the Board was always about Ethnicity. He couldn't understand that there were 8 more protected characteristics and EDI can be even broader. He didnt like me lobbing comments in at the Board meeting - but all Trustees had responsibility. So let everyone know that they will be on the hook. That sharpens the mind!

Security - absolutely no hope of Stonewall getting in here, if you avoid the biggest companies.

It's all I can do, most days, to keep most of the staff away from blatant homophobia and racism - there's absolutely no chance they're going to start pronouning anytime soon.

I never, ever thought I'd be grateful for the lack of tolerance, but here we are.

I'm wondering if you were a trustee for my organisation - same issue with our EDI trustee.

Whenever I hear whinging about government cuts, I'm minded to point to the amount of money this drivel has cost the Treasury and add up just what the money could have been spent on instead.

I am rather glad to be in a blue collar job. A handful of people in head office (comms-type roles) go for the pronoun thing, but if anyone even considered foisting it upon the lower orders, they'd be told to f* off.