The Co-op Group has ended a policy that explicitly allowed trans and non-binary staff to use gendered toilets where they felt “safest”, following legal advice and new guidance on single-sex spaces.
Under its previous policy, the Group – a prominent supporter of trans rights – told trans employees were told that, where workplace toilets were gender-specific, they should use the facilities they felt safest in.
Now, the updated policy says that, wherever possible, the retailer will provide individual, lockable gender-neutral facilities, with decisions about access to gendered spaces made “sensitively and on a case-by-case basis,” according to a report in the Sunday Times.
In April 2025, the issued ruling on the legal meaning of “woman” and “man”, alongside new guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) stating that single-sex spaces should be provided based on biological sex.
The guidance came took effect this month across England, Wales and Scotland and applies to a wide range of public and workplace settings.
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A spokesperson for the Group said: “Co-op is committed to creating a workplace where colleagues feel safe, respected and included. Our focus is on treating people with dignity and respect, listening to colleagues and providing support where it’s needed.
“We have updated our transgender and non-binary inclusion policy following legal advice and consultation with our colleague networks, to ensure compliance with our legal obligations and to support our trans, non-binary and intersex colleagues.”
The spokesperson added: “For the comfort and privacy of all colleagues, wherever possible we will provide gender neutral individual lockable units, with inclusive signage. Where separate facilities are provided, this is to support privacy, dignity and safety.
“Any decisions regarding access will be made sensitively and on a case-by-case basis.”
