Supporting Employees Around Gender Reassignment: The Equality Act 2010

An often-overlooked aspect of inclusivity is gender reassignment, which concerns individuals who are undergoing, have undergone, or plan to undergo a change in their gender. To create a welcoming and respectful work environment, it’s vital for games businesses of all kinds to consider gender reassignment in their recruitment and staff retention strategies…

The UK Equality Act 2010 is the guiding star in this area, protecting individuals with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment from discrimination. This means that studios must ensure their recruitment processes are fair and unbiased.

It all starts with job advertisements: using inclusive language and focusing on the skills, qualifications, and experience needed for the role is key. Interviewers should also be trained to avoid asking discriminatory questions or exhibiting biases.

Workplace policies must be in place to address harassment or discrimination based on gender reassignment. It’s essential that all employees are aware of and understand these policies. Providing equal opportunities for training, development, and promotion for employees of all gender identities is also crucial for fostering a supportive work environment.

Inclusive facilities and accommodations, such as gender-neutral restrooms and changing facilities, go a long way in ensuring everyone feels comfortable in the workplace.

Additionally, granting time off for medical appointments related to gender reassignment and making other reasonable accommodations is an essential part of supporting transgender and non-binary employees.

Creating a respectful and inclusive atmosphere is a collective responsibility. Encourage open dialogue about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and make it clear that your game development studio values the unique perspectives and experiences of all employees, regardless of their gender identity.

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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