Scared I'm going to be outed at work

[Scarystuffhelp]

Argh I'm so scared. We got sent an anonymous survey to fill out at work. It was full of gender woo and where possible I made some (very measured and reasonable) comments about only recording gender identity and not sex, and not wanting to have to use the label cisgender. The survey made clear it was entirely anonymous and would not be linked to individuals.

One of the people who must have carried out the survey is discussing the results on our intranet. He has copy and pasted some of my comments and basically tried to tear them to shreds in the comments (using absolutely nonsense arguments of course like if you haven't had your chromosomes tested you don't know your sex). Loads of people have piled on agreeing with him and saying how awful and bigoted it is and that's it's disgusting etc.

I'm now really scared that I'm going to be outed at work and being made a hate target. They're all saying "poor trans people" etc but I didn't say anything at all about trans people, just that the survey should record sex not gender identity and that I didn't want to have to label myself as cisgender. But the vitriol is so scary.

I'm pretty sure that the responses are anonymous and unless the IT team went to great lengths to search for my IP address (which I'm sure they can't) it can't be traced back to me. But I'm still sitting here shaking and so scared.

I'm thinking of emailing HR to complain that it's unethical to pick apart an anonymous survey response publicly and encourage hateful comments but then it would point the finger in my direction.

Argh why are these people SO full of hatred (and stupidity)?

I would ask how a marketing person has access to the survey responses.

I had no choice but to out myself at work as a situation arose in which doing anything else would have contradicted my professional standards. This happened about 10 years ago, when the issue was still quite niche, but stakes were high and online and workplace doxxing was definitely a thing. My gender-woo colleagues were bound by the same standards, yet to a couple, I remain the villain to this day. It's not something we discuss, but in a way, I'm relieved to be 'a biological essentialist' (a slur, apparently) in the open. It's been reassuring to see the Cass review and the recent SC clarification, both of which have particular relevance in my field.
Best of luck, OP.

Witch-hunts are horrible. I am so sorry you are going through this, even anonymously. It is always terrifying to see how happy colleagues and supposed friends are to stick the boot in in order to appear righteous. Bastards, the lot of them.

In terms of reporting to HR, I agree it is a risk to do so in a way that breaks your anonymity (it shouldn’t be, but we live in the real world). Could you report it anonymously - even resorting to snail mail - to bring home both the bullying nature of it (I don’t think it needs to name an individual to be bullying) and the fact that GC beliefs are WORIADS?

Good luck whatever you do.

Well, you now know who to avoid and who is in a delusional world, keep screenshots and ignore. Once the tide turns against this shit you will have the higher ground. Any comeback would leave themselves open to legal action.

I'm just shocked that people can get away with being so hateful when being GC is a protected characteristic. They seem to be so convinced they are right even when spouting nonsense like genitals are on a spectrum.

What on earth would require your employer to collect GI data? I wonder if the survey was officially sanctioned or someone's pet project to canvas opinion ahead of proposing new toilet policies or some such. Under GDPR they need to have a bloody good reason to collect and hold data with no useful purpose.

It sounds like your colleagues need some training on gender realist views and identities otherwise your employer might be causing or enabling harrassment of people with such lawful views. Does Sex Matters offer this?

Good lord what a very stupid thing for them to do. I'm sorry that you are very reasonably upset by this. If I were you I would write a neutral timeliness of events with screenshots and email it to yourself. Bide your time.

I'm glad you contributed your views. You never know, seeing them torn apart in public may spark something in your colleagues. It does look as if your marketing dept urgently needs a new manager.

It's in the skill set of Marketing to design survey instruments. Did the person ripping your answers apart design this one? Have they had some pushback on the wording of their questions?

They are now really stepping things up and outing themselves as a crazy activist pushing their own agenda through their work. Where are they ridiculing your responses? Meetings? Intranet posts? Gossip? They sound very unprofessional and a liability. Hoping someone with authority is noticing their behaviour and will act.

Sorry you are having this happen.

OP can you email HR from a new anonymous email address?

It's highly likely that many people agree with you and are probably very glad to see your comments, but of course will not feel they can say so. As for those joining in the bullying, while they don't know who you are, they're certainly revealing themselves.

@Scarystuffhelp the survey was presented as anonymous. Unless someone names you, whilst it feels uncomfortable, no one should know it is you.

The person who has posted survey comments with their views has been unprofessional and potentially discriminatory. They also don’t grasp basic data collection principles.

At this stage I would keep quiet and watch developments. As a pp said take notes and screen shot the comments.

However, in the unlikely event you are named then write to the HR director and the most senior person responsible for the survey. Point out it was anonymous and ask how has your name been made public.

State that your responses are protected under EA2010 (Forstater) and follow the definitions used by the SC in their judgement. You are therefore being subject to discrimination and bullying for expressing legally protected views.

Also ask why the survey construction did not follow best practice as set out in the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) guide on data collection of sex and gender https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/our-work-on-data-about-sex-and-gender-identity/

End by asking them what they propose to do and whether you should lodge a formal grievance for discrimination and bullying.

Your company will have a whistleblowing line which you can contact anonymously to complain. These beliefs are protected under the Equality Act. They wouldn’t dream of mocking a religion on the company intranet and had created a discriminatory and toxic environment for anyone with that belief. If you have screenshots (make sure nothing identifiable with your name or login) you should provide them.)

I think the difference here is the survey fillers are anonymous but the responses are not.

I would complain as he is completely undermining the survey. People will not give honest answers if they think it's going to be ridiculed.

I'm always cautious about work surveys. I've ran one that was truly anon as the software wouldn't show results where there were less than 4 identifying characteristics eg if there was just one white woman aged above 40 then I couldn't filter down to those characteristics. Other surveys have been less rigorous and I've sat while senior managers try to work out who said what.

Keep quiet for now; but next time there is a survey, ask for confirmation that under no circumstances will any individual responses be publicised.

This is how and why preference falsification happens.

And both the OP’s incident and social media pile-ons remind me of Atwood’s particicution scenes.

Mob mentality. It’s eye opening once you become aware of it. I’m sorry you’re surrounded by people like this at work. Stay strong 💐

Yes, similarly I work in the NHS and don't feel the anonymous surveys are anonymous. I'm the only person working at my grade in my type of service in the geographical area.

Interesting that the people openly discussing your comments aren't worried about being anonymous! Shows who is really vulnerable and who has the privilege.

Quite

Bullying in plain sight

Good management wouldn’t allow this behaviour and language. It’s not appropriate for any workplace.

Yes, it is a form of totalitarianism...like you've woken up and found yourself right in the middle of a George Orwell novel...in which everyone has lost their minds and their ability to think for themselves.

Absolutely! The thing is I'm pretty sure the survey was anonymous and I really don't want to put anyone off giving their GC opinion in similar circumstances aa often it's the only voice we have.

I think that may be why the response was made public, the marketing guy felt attacked and like he had to have the last word and this was the only way for him to do it.

Ultimately OP:

• Your views are protected by law
• They claim the survey was anonymous.

So anyone went out of their way to track you and to 'out' you, they and the company would be in the wrong/would expose the company to legal action.

You took picture of the evidence so now just carry on as usual.

I’ve been thinking this the last few years actually. A hybrid 1984 / Handmaid’s Tale world. The prescience of the two writers is extraordinary.

I would make an anonymous complaint via Speak Up if you have it. Or create an anon email and send to CEO and HR saying that while there are different views on the subject, everyone needs to be treated with respect and the current discussion is not respectful /in line with values /inclusivity. State that his actions are bullying and request an immediate investigation.

If you’re contacted about this deny it was you. Now, find another job.

Essentially he's creating a hostile and intimidating environment - not just for women and anyone who doesn't agree with gender nonsense - but also for anyone who wants to answer a workplace questionnaire honestly.
His actions bring the organisation into disrepute.

Agree that it may be best to bide your time but emotionally incontinent gender bullies usually continue unless they're stopped so no there'll be further incidents not involving you.