Following the recent Supreme Court judgment, we advise all employers and service providers, and public bodies, to review any policies that the judgment may impact on.
As always, we encourage employers and service providers to come to us for advice relevant to their particular circumstances.
We are currently developing formal written guidance on this issue and we anticipate this will be published in June.
It is also important to remember that everyone has rights under equality law not to be harassed or discriminated in their employment, or when they are accessing many services and to be treated with respect as they go about their lives.
https://www.equalityni.org/Footer-Links/News/Employers-Service-Providers/Statement-on-Supreme-Court-Ruling
BUT
Its position confirms that laws are already in place and employers can act now. It says that it is “for each organisation to consider its own policies” and has not said employers must wait for its advice.
... they must do so lawfully and ensure they do not discriminate unlawfully against any person who has the protection of equality law.
“The guidance will be advisory guidance. It will outline advice that the Commission recommends. This will not be statutory guidance, meaning that it will not impose legal obligations on employers and service providers.”
https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/supreme-court-sex-ruling-northern-ireland-not-in-state-of-limbo-as-equality-commission-says-its-advice-will-not-be-statutory-5122022
So although they say should, it is left open to organisations to wait for written guidance in June?
But seems to imply the Supreme Court ruling does have impact on NI otherwise they wouldn't be updating guidance?
Although that the guidance will only be advisory and not a legal obligation?
Although:
A TUV spokesperson said “This is welcome clarification from the Equality Commission that the situation in Northern Ireland is not in a state of limbo.
“Organisations both can and should act to update their policies in line with the judgement of the Supreme Court which gives clarity on the defence of female only spaces such as toilets and changing rooms.
“One hopes that the political parties at Stormont and ideologically driven journalists who have peddled misinformation on this topic will take note - particularly ahead of a debate in the Assembly on Monday”.
(Dont know if that mean this monday as the only debate I can see listed is about Transphobia)