'A dark day' | HR must 'monitor workplace conversations' after UK blocks gender identity bill

The UK government will block a bill passed by Scottish lawmakers that was set to make it easier for people to make decisions under their legal gender – a move that could lead to workplace tensions between colleagues with opposing views on the issue.

The bill, which was passed in December, saw Scotland become the first country in the UK to back a self-identification process for changing gender, including removing the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria and lowering the minimum age to 16 from 18.

Similar laws already exist in 18 nations across the globe, including the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Denmark and Argentina.

The move, which is the first time the UK Government has invoked the power to veto a Scottish law, has been met with mixed reviews for both the gender issue and the devolution aspect. Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland, confirmed he was invoking Section 35 of the 1998 Scotland Act, which allows the UK government to prohibit a bill becoming law if Westminster deems it has an adverse effect on matters where the national government retains ultimate jurisdiction.