Bethany Hutchison, Lisa Lockey, Annice Grundy and Tracey Hooper are four of the eight nurses at Darlington Memorial Hospital who say they are being left feeling ‘unsafe’ when they are getting ready for work.
As a result, the group of nurses from County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) have lodged an employment tribunal case for sexual discrimination and sexual harassment.
In April last year, the submitted a letter to the Trust making it clear that female staff were experiencing harassment and/or indirect discrimination and described the situation as “intolerable”.
“I would like to remind everyone that we are doing this for the safety and dignity of every woman and girl across society and that we will continue to fight these unlawful policies.”
The nurses have filed the claim on the grounds of sexual harassment, discrimination, victimisation and breaches of the right to a private life, under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The group of nurses, from Darlington Memorial Hospital, when they spoke publicly for the first time(Image: CHRISTIAN CONCERN)
They say that the transgender staff member spends a “longer time in the changing room than is necessary to change clothes” and continues “to stare at female colleagues, in particular at their breast area. as they are getting changed”.
Trust policy allows staff to identify as the opposite gender and use the opposite sex’s locker rooms, toilets and showers, and the nurses were told they needed to “be more inclusive”, “compromise”, “broaden their mindset” and get “re-educated”.
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A spokesperson for CDDFT said: “County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing safe, respectful and inclusive care for patients and a working environment for all colleagues.
“As this matter is the subject of ongoing Employment Tribunal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for the Trust to comment further while the case is active.”
The employment tribunal is set to start today (Monday, October 20) and could last up to four weeks, with 30 witnesses.
The nurses are being supported by the Christian Legal Centre.