Mick Hartley

Significant, I think. From the Telegraph:

Companies can legally block trans women from taking jobs intended only for women, the equalities watchdog has ruled.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said that if an employer wanted to advertise for a woman-only job, that must only mean biological women or those who have received a gender-recognition certificate.

It would therefore be discriminatory to extend the definition of “woman” to men who self-identify as women.

Baroness Falkner, chairman of the EHRC, warned that her watchdog would take action against employers who breached the guidelines.

How about starting with Mridul Wadhwa, the man installed as head of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre in a position advertised as for women only?

“As Britain’s equality regulator, we have a duty to promote and uphold Britain’s equality laws,” she said. “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.

“Employers should also be aware that the EHRC will take action to uphold the Equality Act. Where we are made aware of potential misapplication of Schedule 9 provisions, we will continue to assess and take action to resolve these on a case-by-case basis.”

The guidance was welcomed by women’s rights campaigners, including Nic Williams, director of Fair Play for Women, who said: “We welcome this new guidance that makes clear that men who self-identity as women are not female and should not be recruited as such.

Perhaps Baroness Falkner is getting this done and dusted before – as rumour as it – she's replaced by gender-friendly Harriet Harman.