Staff at financial regulator revolt over female-only lavatories
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is changing several office spaces after judges ruled in April that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex'.
The ruling prompted new guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Under new internal FCA guidance, lavatories and showers should only be used by colleagues of that 'biological sex'. However, transgender men and women will still be able to use 'accessible toilets' under the changes.
Disgruntled staff have now chosen not to represent the FCA at Pride events and attend individually instead.
An FCA source said some employees feel 'uncomfortable' about the decision.
They concluded: 'We will be attending as individuals, united in our support of the transgender community.'
'Sideline and ignore them'
Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at human rights organisation Sex Matters, said: 'No doubt some activists, both inside and outside the FCA, will now noisily oppose the new policy.
'Senior managers should sideline and ignore them, just as they would with any other group advocating for breaking the law.'
A FCA spokesman said it understood colleagues had been 'impacted' by the 'sensitive issue'.
He added: 'In light of the Supreme Court ruling, the EHRC interim update and existing facilities in all offices, we concluded we needed to change our approach.
'We did this promptly to give clarity to colleagues on which facilities to use, which in itself offers individuals confidence, privacy and dignity when using our facilities.'
Ther spokesman said that the FCA 'respects the decision some colleagues have taken not to represent the FCA at Pride'.
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