Gender identity training at work

[Aaaandanothername]

We're having training at work from these people https://www.ihasco.co.uk/courses/detail/gender-identity-expression-training#contents and wondering what people think? It seems to talk the right talk about biological sex, but doesn't seem to acknowledge (in the blurb at least) that some people don't have a gender identity or see it as a belief.

Why does your employer think you need training about gender identity?

Over my frosty corpse.

Gender identity is made up bullshit that does not exist, how can any grown up sit there with a straight face? I’d have no trouble telling them. What a waste of time.

I like the fact that they differentiate between biological sex and gender identity. I take no issue with men wearing dresses, if that’s what they want to do. It’s not simply saying that by doing that they become women.

Sounds like a fairly moderate approach. Is it a large organisation where this could be an issue?

I think they're desperately trying to do the right thing...

I take no issue with men wearing dresses

I see this often repeated as if wearing dresses could be a neutral fashion choice. It isn’t. Men wear dresses to mock women or as a fetish.

You are entitled to refuse to do it because you don't believe in it / think its sexist and homophobic.

Just refuse.

By whom?

Have they also paid for training to help sensibilise staff to the challenges faced by colleagues with disabilities? Or those who are carers?

Why do you need to spend your time doing training to better understand people who have made sexist stereotypes the defining feature of their personality?

I bet they're not sending all their TQ+allies staff on training sessions to help them understand what gender critical beliefs are and why they are protected in law.

But why do people need to waste their time on this shit at all?

Are there not a million better uses for the training budget?

Are we not all pretty fucking aware of trans people by now?

Spot on.

iHasCo sounds like one of those cat memes.

I think it's always useful in the workplace to know what is being said to your team. Culture can shift and to know what's going on, it's helpful to be in the room.

I would be in the room asking awkward questions.

Telling them I don't have a gender identity and looking stony faced when they reply that of course I have a gender identity and my identity is cis woman.

Asking what the features of the gender identity that matches being biologically female are.

Asking why "male and trans" is apparently the same gender identity as "female and not trans".

Thanks for the replies. They're echoing the thoughts rattling round in my head.

It's online training though so likely just tick box questions to "pass" at the end. No idea if able to ask questions.

What a shame you're having your smart meter installed that day and need to WFH or book some annual leave.

ETA: Cross-post. Ah, that's tricky. Is this a certain famous management consultancy with purple branding?

What happens if you just don't do it?

Although I suppose you could do it and give terrible feedback.

Not sure they even ask for feedback! None of the others I've done have.

I'll likely get badgered to complete it or go on the norty list.

No, not us!

Then why not ask them what the point of the training is and why they think you particularly need to be aware of gender identity rather than other more important characteristics, nine of which are actually considered important enough to be protected in law (unlike gender identity)?

I like this 👌

I agree. A man wearing a dress is making a statement and a loud one. I don't like people pretending otherwise.

Pretending to ignore truths we all know is partly how we got into this mire.

Name changed for this. I’ve done this training and it’s total horseshit. My work is part of the same group as ihasco so I was very blunt in my feedback about it as a colleague was meant to be reviewing it

Ask what the learning outcomes are.

Op I'd just call in sick on the day. Others will too. It will send a message but just about plausibly deniable

Oooh interesting, thank you!