The Supreme Court judgment has created anxiety and concern for many trans, non-binary and gender diverse people. UNISON wants to make clear that it will not condone use of the ruling to generate hostility against or between people who have or share the different characteristics protected under equalities laws, or to undermine people’s rights in the workplace.
The union is currently working on providing definitive advice on what the recent Supreme Court judgment and the interim Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance means for members and reps. It is also responding to questions about specific trans-inclusive workplace policies following the ruling.
The union’s materials on trans, non-binary and gender diverse rights have been temporarily taken down from the website to ensure the information provided is compliant with the law, and helps keeps members safe in the workplace. The union wants all members to feel confident in the advice it gives.
More than 7,000 members have received training on becoming a good ally to trans people. Everyone who delivers these courses will be updated on how to deal with questions around the ruling to ensure they’re confident of explaining all the implications.
Every public and voluntary sector organisation, including unions such as UNISON that offer advice on employment matters, will be under scrutiny about how the ruling is applied.
It is important the union ensures any guidance it gives is accurate, legally sound, and as consistent as possible with its existing policy positions. This matters because it affects the union’s ability to support members bringing lawful challenges in individual workplaces.
The article The recent Supreme Court judgment first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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