Guidance changes | It's OK to exclude some trans women from 'women only' jobs, says equality watchdog

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has said that UK companies can legally block trans women without a gender recognition certificate from ‘doing jobs intended for women’.

In an updated guidance, the EHRC said that UK employers can legally exclude trans women from jobs meant “for women only”, such as in a women’s domestic violence hostel or a refuge for rape survivors.

“As Britain’s equality regulator, we have a duty to promote and uphold Britain’s equality laws,” Kishwer Falkner, chairman of the EHRC told the Telegraph. “Those publishing job adverts must be familiar with their obligations under equality law. They can feel confident that our updated guidance will help them to comply with the law.”

“Those publishing job adverts must be familiar with their obligations under equality law. They can feel confident that our updated guidance will help them comply.”