Inclusion row | Data watchdog criticised over workplace guidance on gender identity

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has come under criticism from conservative public figures for stating in workplace guidance that staff should think of transgender colleagues as the gender they identify as.

In the workplace guidance set out by the data watchdog, the organisation outlines that staff can support trans colleagues by "thinking of the person as being the gender that they want you to think of them as”.

The organisation outlines in its ‘trans policy and guidance’ document that its main objectives are to provide support for those staff members who are transgender or non-binary, provide guidance for people managers, and provide guidance for staff handling cases containing protected information. But it says its policy relates to all ICO staff, stakeholders and customers.

This guidance, and specifically the use of the word ‘think’ in its expression, has been focused on and criticised by some conservative public figures.