THREAD: Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contact Marks & Spencer re their change of policy on women-only changing rooms. There have been over 5,000 views of our model letter. We hope you found it useful. womansplaceuk.org/2019/11/03/dea…
Thanks to everyone who has forwarded the standard response they got suggesting a real lack of regard for women’s concerns. It’s one thing to implement a policy change without consulting your core customer base; it’s quite another to ignore that base when they raise concerns.
We have heard that M&S staff who are on the shop floor are uneasy and uncomfortable with the policy change. They will be the ones dealing with any issues that arise. Were they consulted about the policy change (which will certainly impact on their working conditions)?
Staff on the ground have been very apologetic and say they knew nothing of this policy. They are surprised that the policy has not taken into account the needs of all their customers. They clearly feel very unhappy about it.
We would encourage you to pursue your complaint by asking the following questions which @warijan has asked in her follow up letter. Coming up...
@warijan 1. What consultation was carried out, how was it conducted and with whom?
@warijan 2. Was an impact assessment carried out to ensure that your policy change does not discriminate against any disadvantaged or vulnerable person?
@warijan 3. If so, what impacts were noted?
@warijan 4. If not, why was it decided that an impact assessment was not necessary?
@warijan 5. What legal advice did you seek with regard to the provision of single sex spaces as per the exemptions set out in the Equality Act 2010?
@warijan 6. I note that you intend to keep the policy under review. Please can you explain the criteria by which you intend to judge whether or not the policy has been a success?
@warijan Please consider pursuing your complaint with HQ and also taking it up with your local store manager. It is outrageous if a policy like this has been implemented without women being consulted. Nothing about us without us. Sex matters. Thank you.
