Writing to HR about the SC judgment

[Hyperiaistheworst]

I wrote a post which disappeared so apologies if this appears twice.

The transgender policy at work is contrary to the EA. I have had a draft email ready to go to HR for weeks. I feel like the SC judgment should be the catalyst I need to hit “Send” but still I hesitate. I know my beliefs are protected in law, but it doesn’t actually make it any easier to stick your head up does it? I have kept it all very factual. My beliefs don’t come into it (except that I believe single sex toilets and changing facilities at work are necessary, while accepting that others may disagree)

The organisation i work for has been advised by Inclusive Employers. Anyone had any dealings with them?

Anyone else’s finger hovering over “Send”?

I think that many employers will say they are waiting for guidance from the EHRC.

In a similar position but as a student in a university department about to enter an allied health profession whose professional body is completely captured. I really really want to mail the head of school to point out the absolute nonsense we've been taught by some staff . The conflation of sex with gender, the misquoting and misapplication of the law, the gaslighting if you try to make a GC point. I know I am legally protected but fear the unofficial blacklisting if I formally stick my head above the parapet...

Keir Starmer has just said on the record that Labour welcome the judgment, mention that.

How have you found the culture in the workplace when you've been on placements? (I'm assuming NHS). I work in post-grad medical education, and the content I deliver remains grounded in biological reality. I do wonder how deep the rot goes, and how many docs/ nurses/ HCPs are out there "believing" sex is changeable, or a spectrum, despite their education in anatomy and genetics etc. I still work clinically too, and I haven't heard any colleagues using GI language in a clinical setting. That's not to say it doesn't happen of course, but to my mind it would be completely incongruent with the type of work we do.

HR person here. It's a bit early. You need to time it. The HR community is waiting on the new ruling being analyzed to death by lawyers before 'best practice' emerges. Give it a month at least

I know I'm not your mother (!) but if I were, I would say this:

This might not be your fight just at the moment. I would want you to protect yourself until you are established in a job/the beginning of your career, especially in an area with a captured professional body. Women need to be independent and financially secure and I wouldn't want a student to risk her future for the sake of making a point.

I'm sure that others will disagree with me. But it's easier for older/retired/not in captured professions/financially independent women (and it should be men involved, too, frankly) to take the hit. There's no great rush here. There's a lot of movement and lifting being done all around you, so you could wait and see what it all looks like when the music stops. You'll be much more use in the future when you are more secure and in a position to make a difference where you are.

I agree, sometimes it's better to keep your powder dry.

Of course, there's nothing to stop you sending an anonymous letter to point out the inaccuracies of what's being taught? And maybe copied to your VC?

You could send a very professionally neutrally worded email that says something like “When can we expect [Company]’s new policies to be circulated / published which accurately reflect the law as the Supreme Court has clarified it to be in FWS, as the current versions appear to be inconsistent with it?”

I would hang fire, and see if any pronouncements are forthcoming.
Then read them carefully, and ask if they have been checked by a competent legal advisor rather than an advocacy or lobby group. Just to protect them from any future issues, as a general statement, rather than an opinion coming from you.

Thank you. This is my current plan. I've been gently pushing back in lectures where I can. And gave some anonymous module specific feedback. Btw, I'm retraining and probably older than you, but I do identify as 25 ISH!!

It depends. Some of the people I've worked with have been involved in our professional body and therefore tow the party line. It's not clear as to whether this is indoctrination, ambition, or fear if repercussions. But a lot of ordinary staff are completely GC and not afraid to voice their opinions...

Thanks for this, I've been twitching to send something, but will leave it for a bit....