The (large/wellknown) org I work for just joined Stonewall

[bathofbeans]

. . . and are now members of Stonewall Diversity Champions which will provide us with expertise and guidance to update our policies.

Can anyone explain to me what this will mean? What guidance will we be receiving? How could this change our organisations workplaces across England?

Ooh, that’s grim. Stephen Nolan’s podcast on Stonewall should give you a good flavour of what’s expected - including the way Stonewall charge you for membership, charge you for training, set the exams, mark the results (extra marks for extra donations/extra batshitness) and publish a list of organisations they ‘like’ Not much moderation involved!

They’re a bit behind the curve though aren’t they? Lots of organisations have left Stonewall over the last couple of years.

@bathofbeans if you look at a site like Sex Matters or Women’s Room there will be guidance on what it might mean for your organisation. Strange that it is doing this when others are fleeing in great numbers.

I am just looking at 'Sex Matters' and their report Understanding Stonewall Risk 080721 FINAL'.

I am concerned that the report says that Stonewall encourages employers to disregard certain aspects of the Equality Act 2010.

Surely this is unlawful?

Sex Matters say they contact employers to warn them of the risks of disregarding the Equality Act - will they contact my employer?

I'm always surprised at companies joining the Diversity Scheme at this point - a quick Google using the phrase 'employers leaving the Stonewall diversity scheme' brings up a slew of names (BBC, Government bodies, Police forces included). As you say, it seems a bit behind the curve

you must have an activist pushing this. No one who was remotely clued up / not a TRA would be pushing this right now.

Well they’re a little late to the party aren’t they!

I’d be wanting to draft an email that includes lots of links and has an underlying message of “nice try but the time for this was 3 or 4 years ago and your company will look very stupid for doing this after the Cass report”

I am concerned that the report says that Stonewall encourages employers to disregard certain aspects of the Equality Act 2010.
Surely this is unlawful?

Yes it is; part of the problem with the EA is the criteria of who can bring a case, and the expense involved. Some employers get away with a hell of a lot, because for many people its easier and more affordable to just look for a new job.
IMO the process can have parallels with dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace, or whistleblowing. In theory you are the injured party and have some legal protection but in reality things can get nasty.

Stonewall will start be reviewing all the employment policies and encouraging the organisation to remove all gendered terms like mothers to non-gendered words. They’ll then enforce a transitioning at work policy on the organisation and any menopause policies will suddenly be inclusive of transwomen

Wow. Not a good look. Bizarre infact.

Do you feel you could email the powers that be in your organisation and ask them why they have joined now in light of the Cass report and the fact that major organisations are leaving the scheme. Just a casual question.

Talk about trying to board the Titanic after it hit the iceberg.

Bad luck, OP. I thought Stonewall were a busted flush.

Maybe you could contact Sex Matters anonymously and ask them to contact your employer - not sure if this is possible so just a suggestion

I wonder how much it costs?

A lot, in terms of reputational damage to @bathofbeans' employers

There's a great blog by Naomi Cunningham about this. I suggest you get this in front of your employers somehow OP:

www.legalfeminist.org.uk/2021/02/01/submission-and-compliance/

True but I meant, are they literally paying for this certification? How much? Maybe the OP could do a FOI?

Looking at various other FOI's, the fee seems to be currently around £3,000 a year, though one organisation I looked at had paid an additional (approx.) cost for various training courses to be delivered by Stonewall (allyship being one).

It's probably been mentioned (I've not RTFT), but could you contact Sex Matters?

Was there any consultation about this, or did you all just get a memo or something?

If there was not consultation or forwarning, could you contact (HR?) and say could someone explain it to you as recently you have seen many organisations, public bodies have left the scheme, and you have read articles saying why it is inappropraite for an employer as they are supposed to support different "beliefs" equally and Stonewall doesn't.

If it came to it - is this the kind of thing a union would represent staff on? (and foot the bill)

I really don't feel comfortable saying anything this early on. I think if it starts to affect my team and the people we work with I would definitely stand my ground and keep everyone safe.
I'm just unsure if there will be much change - or if we are just doing it to wear the t-shirt and keep everyone happy.
It's an expensive t-shirt though at £3000 a pop!

I've just seen on their website that they keep a list of organisations that are joining/leaving - so hopefully they will be alerted to this new organisation joining?

Or perhaps I need to email them . . .

I just don't feel at all comfortable with the Equality Act being undermined if that is the intention

Are you in employment covered by the Sex Equality and Equity Network (SEEN) groups: Civil Service, The City (private sector particularly financial services), the police, HR, Parliament, STEM, journalism, sport, schools, the health sector, local authorities? If so, they may be able to help you find others who are also concerned in your area of work. https://seen-network.uk/other-seens/ I did hear mutterings about one being set up for the charity sector but I don't know if that has happened yet.

It may have been raised and consulted on within certain 'working groups' but the joining of Stonewall was certainly a national staff consultation.

I don't feel I yet know enough about Stonewall, and the implications of being a member, to be the one that raises it. Perhaps it's best left to Sex Matters if that's their speciality.

I will start reading though!