Ensuring you have a gender identity-inclusive workplace is more important than ever. We've got some tips to help you get started.
Protection for those undergoing gender reassignment also applies to gender-fluid and non-binary workers. Research shows that two-thirds of transgender employees feel the need to hide their identity at work. This supports the need for companies to create a more trans-friendly work environment.
Review your company literature, forms and other documents and communications, such as gendered salutations like 'Dear Sir/Madam' and 'Mr/Mrs' on employee or customer forms, etc.). Alternatively, replace them with gender-neutral alternatives, such as Dear Colleague/Dear Jonas Griffiths/Dear A.T. Gordon.
Similarly, replace "If an employee wishes to discuss opportunities, he/she should contact his/her manager" with "If an employee wishes to discuss opportunities, they should contact their manager".
Check that your HR and other data systems allow different prefixes, i.e. not just Mr/Mrs/Ms but also Mx. If this is not possible, consider whether you need this information. Don't forget the same procedure on paper-based documents.
Adding pronouns after profile names and on email signatures helps raise awareness of gender identity and prevents assumptions. It also denotes a more inclusive organisation. e.g. First name, Last name (she/her).
Explain which terms are appropriate and how staff should use them. Make sure to create a central resource for advice that employees can easily access.
Assess whether there is a need for physical changes to your workplace, including gender-neutral toilet facilities, showers and changing rooms. Consider gender-neutral adaptations to any uniforms.
There is 'no one size fits all'. Every person, trans or not, has their own lived experience and perspective on the world. Make sure you treat everyone accordingly.
Be sensitive to changes of name and personnel record changes, including staff photos during recruitment and beyond. Offer temporary time away from client-facing activities if wanted during transition. Remember to reassure employees that they are in control of their personal information at all times.
Ensure they are sufficiently robust in this context and specifically include references to gender identity. And communicate the changes appropriately to all employees.
To ensure fairness, ensure that your policies for gender-related absenteeism and grievances are handled the same way as other workplace absences and concerns.
Gender identity is considered special category data. You must prevent non-consensual disclosure of gender identity information (e.g. Gender Recognition Certificate).
Remember that under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, it is an offence for anyone who has acquired protected information in an official capacity to disclose it to any other person.
In terms of historical information, it is best practice to only retain necessary documents, for example, those relating to pensions.
Help your employees understand how to avoid gender identity-related discriminatory behaviours and workplace harassment training.
ACAS guidance, such as 'Supporting Trans Employees in the Workplace', can help you understand the issues, and the organisation can also offer advice.
External organisations offering insightful guidance include Stonewall, Mermaids, METRO charity, Brook, Imaan, GIRES, Chrysalis and YoungMinds.
A notable case of discrimination at work involves a gender-fluid former Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) engineer who won a landmark case of harassment, discrimination and unfair constructive dismissal and was awarded £180k in compensation.
Ms R Taylor, an engineer at JLR for 20 years, had previously presented as a male but began identifying as gender-fluid and wearing women's clothes in 2017. This sparked abuse, insults and jokes from colleagues.
The Tribunal heard there was little support from the company's management, and Taylor had problems accessing toilet facilities.
JLR claimed that Taylor did not fall into the definition of gender reassignment under section 7 of the Equality Act because Taylor was gender-fluid and non-binary. The Tribunal, however, disagreed, stating the argument was "totally without merit".
“Having heard submissions on this point, this employment tribunal considers it appropriate to award aggravated damages in this case because of the egregious way the claimant was treated and because of the insensitive stance taken by the respondent in defending these proceedings....We are also minded to consider making recommendations in order to alleviate the claimant’s injury to feelings by ensuring the respondent takes positive steps to avoid this situation arising again.”
Judge Hughes - Taylor v Jaguar Land Rover
Taylor's compensation got lifted by 20% for the firm's failure to comply with the ACAS Code of Practice when grievances were raised during transitioning.
Dave Williams, HR executive director, issued a full apology and said, "We continue to strive to improve in this area, and we respect the outcome of the case."
JLR is not the only company to have faced legal action over handling gender identity issues. In 2018, Primark had to pay £47k compensation and implement a policy for workers after 'shocking' transgender discrimination.
HR advisor Kate Palmer from Peninsula said that poor understanding of LGBTQ+ individuals and their problems at work was "one of the biggest issues" employers faced today. Companies should start creating more inclusive workplaces by understanding the terminology and reviewing existing arrangements.
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