Hi @BlackstoneChbrs @EHRC @EHRCChair @KishwerFalkner @RJHilsenrath @trussliz @GEOgovuk

The Equality & Diversity Monitoring form in your job application asks for the 'gender' of the applicant with options:

Male
Female.

However...

https://t.co/Did1oeP6tH

1/9

'Gender' is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and is not defined in the Act.

https://t.co/qisFhCiV1u

2/9

Sex is the protected characteristic and the only two possible options for sex are 'Female' and 'Male' as defined in the Act and consistent with biology, but you don't ask for that.

https://t.co/CEJ0gkr6nF

'Gender' is not a synonym for sex.

3/9

'Gender' relies on demeaning, regressive stereotypical notions of societal roles for the two sexes, concepts that I'm sure you would not wish to be associated with.

4/9

Asking about a personal characteristic such as 'gender' that is not a protected characteristic under the Act, may be in breach of the GDPR by processing personal - and potentially Special Category - data without a lawful basis.

5/9

Hi @Argos_Online @ArgosCareers @EHRC @EHRCChair @KishwerFalkner @RJHilsenrath @trussliz @GEOgovuk

Your job application mentions your statutory obligations under the Equality Act and correctly has sex in a list of the protected characteristics under the Act.

However...

1/10

However, you then ask "Please choose the option which best describes your gender identity" with options:

Male
Female
Transgender.

2/10

'Gender identity' is not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and is not defined in the Act.

https://t.co/qisFhCiV1u

3/10

Sex is the protected characteristic and the only two possible options for sex are 'Female' and 'Male' as defined in the Act and consistent with biology, but you don't ask for that.

https://t.co/CEJ0gkr6nF

'Gender' is not a synonym for sex.

4/10

'Gender identity' relies on demeaning, regressive stereotypical notions of societal roles for the two sexes, concepts that I'm sure you would not wish to be associated with.