Co-op removes trans inclusive toilet policy

[IwantToRetire]

The Co-op’s previous internal policy stated: “If the toilets where you work are gender-specific, you should use the ones you feel safest in. We’ll never expect you, or ask you, to use the disabled toilets instead, but of course if you feel most comfortable using them, then that’s fine.”

These sentences have been removed from the policy, which now states: “We know that for people who identify as trans, or non-binary, or intersex, it’s [sic] may be difficult to feel comfortable and/or safe using gendered toilets. For the comfort and privacy of all colleagues, wherever possible we will provide gender-neutral individual lockable units, with inclusive signage.”

It is not clear yet what this will mean in practice.

https://www.thetimes.com/article/6772d1ec-d619-4e4f-b952-395e268f63bb and archive at https://archive.ph/9JMRb

Coop retail only operate almost exclusively small shops which ime have one toilet. I can't imagine the shop staff have more than one either, assuming that they have a separate one from the customers at all. Presumably this is their staff policy, for office units with at least 3 toilets. I think it's fine as a statement, it's clear that the women's and men's are for men and women.

Perhaps it's also pertinent that the Coop movement was one of the earliest "ethical" brands, well entrenched early on with wokery, and are a mutual, owned by their members. As a business they do actually need to be pretty careful with their wording of this change. They could have written something which indicated that the policy was just to obey a law they don't agree with, implicitly encouraging staff to carry on as before.

Given their history and circumstances, I think they've done a fair job there.

There’s also funeral care, places like Angel Square in Manchester and other branches of the Co-op that have bigger toilet facilities.

When I worked for them I remember looking at the intranet policy that gave generous paid leave for ‘transition appointments’.

I however, being a cunty woman, was in tears of pain having to be in work after gynae surgery as I had to adhere to normal sick leave policies 😡

The response is still weaselly as it refers to "gendered toilets" not single sex toilets appropriate to your birth sex.

My problem is that they are not explicitly telling their trans staff to stay the fuck out of the wrong sex toilets & changing rooms.

The problem is that when I dress like a man and am in an assertive mood, which is quite common for me, then if the toilets are "gendered" I should be using the men's loos.

The correct term is sexed, not gendered.

Exactly this. It does not say to use the toilet relating to your own biological sex.
It's a fudge.

Well at least they’re obeying the law (and how ludicrous that I should feel grateful when a company does that).

They aren't obeying the law. They issued a vague & waffly statement that crucially does not tell their staff that the choice is either to use a toilet appropriate to their biological sex or a gender neutral toilet.

Crickets? Interesting choice of word. By implication then - a Bashback supporter.
But keep posting with the attempted gotchas.

The Co-op wording could be written more clearly to support ALL staff. Not just to fudge it for the Herbert's of this world, and their predilection for dilating in the women's bogs.

I've no issue at all with trans identifying women in my single sex space, but the men who claim to be laydees can sod right off. HTH

Lol. Nice try.

Perhaps you would like to tell us what law says men have the right to dilate on the floor of women's toilets. Pet.

In lots of places now the toilets have been converted to cubicle only, available to both sexes. As a result it's more common now to see men queuing for the loo for the entire interval in theatres and art centres, just as women have always done.

Is this what mumsnet has became? A daily update of every toilet in Britain where trans people can and cannot pee??

If this is not interesting to you, which is fair enough, look for something that is interesting. Try telly addicts for daily soap updates, or royals for daily European royal outfit reviews. Or style and beauty have a fairly regular perfume update thread, perfumistas I think.

'Company follows the law on loos' should not be an interesting topic but I guess it's still a novelty.

I assume this is mainly for their offices for financial services etc.

Co-op bank were always known for their ethical stance, and these days that means a certain side of every debate, so I do think it's surprising but agree that statement is waffle.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 is the legislation which CO OP needs to comply with wrt employee toilet provisions