Ursula Doyle v Hachette - settled
'I have reached a settlement in my case against Hachette for discrimination on the grounds of my gender-critical beliefs.
Hachette and I have agreed that we will keep the terms of the settlement confidential except for the information I am sharing in this statement. In bringing this case, I hoped to demonstrate conclusively that employers cannot allow staff to be subjected to abuse because of their lawful views, nor ignore women’s rights to single-sex spaces. Most importantly of all, I wanted the tribunal to scrutinise the company’s Trans Inclusion and Transitioning at Work Policy, which I strongly believe is discriminatory and unlawful. While the company has not admitted liability, I am pleased it has confirmed to me as part of discussions regarding my case that it will be conducting a review of its applicable policies including its Trans Inclusion and Transitioning at Work Policy within the next three months to consider whether any changes need to be made.
The last five years have been taxing – emotionally, professionally and, latterly, financially. My health and my peace of mind have both suffered. I am sad that I no longer have the job that brought me great satisfaction and enabled me to publish some brilliant books and work with some brilliant authors and colleagues; nothing can make up for that. What has kept me going is the importance of the principles at stake, and the incredible support I have had from everyone who has so generously shared and contributed to the crowdfunder and written me such encouraging messages of solidarity.
The battle for sex realism continues. In light of the Supreme Court’s decision in the For Women Scotland case, I am hopeful that UK employers are beginning to realise that a policy they might have adopted in good faith and with the best intentions might have unforeseen consequences which harm women. I am more grateful than I can say for your support. I would never have got this far without it.'
Ursula's case in a nutshell:
'In 2021 I published Kathleen Stock’s influential book on sex and gender, Material Girls. Since then, I have been a target for abuse by colleagues in the book industry, who have used social media to accuse me of - among other things - bigotry, prejudice, transphobia and hatred, often tagging in my employer, Hachette, and Hachette’s Pride network.
Hachette have done nothing to protect me, and have created a hostile working environment for me and anyone else who shares my views. When two of Fleet's authors complained that my views were transphobic, the company agreed to move paperback editions of the authors' books away from the imprint to another part of the business, damaging my reputation both inside and outside the company. I became ill with stress and associated conditions, and finally resigned. I am bringing a claim of discrimination on the grounds of my gender-critical belief (sometimes known as 'sex realism'), and of sex discrimination.'
A short film about the case: