Official guidance commissioned by the Crown Prosecution Service last year recommends that all staff and senior managers are given extensive training to mitigate the fact that “remote working can be positive for some trans and non-binary people.” New excuse for staying at home just dropped…
In 2024 the CPS commissioned “EDI expert” consultants Inclusive Employers “to undertake an Equality Impact Analysis on our refreshed Hybrid Working Policy… The CPS agreed to take forward the vast majority of recommendations, but recommendations related to training and estates provision were subject to further consideration due to practical feasibility.” Their motto: “Turn equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into your competitive advantage”…
The guidance, obtained by Guido’s FOI Unit, highlighted several key issues and observations which include:
- “LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer +) people can be impacted by impacted by mental health issues, including those relating to homophobia and/or living under hetero- patriarchy and these could be exacerbated by a return to the workplace.”
- “LGBTQ+ people can feel safer WFH and more protected from sexuality-specific bullying, harassment, and negative elements of workplace culture. Some LGBTQ+ people may feel isolated when in the workplace.”
- “Issues do not only include overt homophobia but also heterosexist and heteronormative environments.”
- “Some trans people can feel pressure to either hide who they are in the workplace or to ‘manage’ their identities to suit other people’s expectations when at a place of work rather than WFH, which can impact their mental health and/or make them consider leaving their role for one with more flexibility (e.g. full WFH) elsewhere.”
- “Studies show that remote working can be positive for some trans and non-binary people as it can somewhat allow them to separate their work from their identity when needed.”
Among other things the consultants recommended the following actions: Workshops, creating a “culture of belonging,” promoting “the LGBTI Staff Network so colleagues under the acronym feel supported,” more manager training, implementing a “buddy system,” gender neutral loos, and “leadership setting a positive tone on LGBTQ+ matters.” Glad to hear that the vast majority of the recommendations were implemented…
