Sandie Peggie, RN Sandie is a nurse with over 30 years of experience. This represents a major partial victory for her in her tribunal case against Dr Beth Upton and NHS Fife. The employment tribunal in Dundee found that NHS Fife had unlawfully harassed Peggie. They were first unwise, then negligent, in not revoking Upton’s authorization to use the women’s changing room on an emergency basis. The case has gained significant press attention across the UK, demonstrating the wider, continuing culture war over sex-based rights and gender identity.
Peggie contended that she had faced discriminatory harassment in violation of the Equality Act 2010. She singled out sexual harassment, harassment related to a protected belief, indirect discrimination and victimisation. She explained her concerns related to privacy and dignity. Her feelings were rooted in her experience of sharing a trans-inclusive locker room with a trans female co-worker.
Chief judge Sandy Kemp presided over the tribunal while receiving evidence. The sessions were held over two days, one in February and another in July of this year. Peggie’s case grew even stronger when in January 2024, she was fully exonerated of unrelated gross misconduct charges. This new development only made her situation more complicated.
After the tribunal’s ruling, Peggie began to process her immense emotional relief at the outcome.
“I am beyond relieved and delighted at the harassment finding,” – Sandie Peggie
She further remarked on the toll the past two years had taken on her personal life:
“The last two years have been agonising for me and my family.”
Peggie’s solicitor, Margaret Gribbon, hailed the tribunal’s decision as a significant victory for her client.
“This is a huge win for a tenacious and courageous woman standing up for her sex-based rights,” – Margaret Gribbon
Peggie got partial success in her action on NHS Fife. The tribunal found her claim against Dr. Upton unfounded. This aspect of the ruling has led to disappointment among some advocates for women’s rights, including Maya Forstater, who criticized the tribunal’s approach.
“Overall we are disappointed in the tribunal’s approach, which sought to reach a spurious ‘balance’ between a woman’s right to undress with privacy and dignity and the right of an employee with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment not to be discriminated against in employment,” – Maya Forstater
For its part, NHS Fife responded angrily to the tribunal’s decision. They emphasized their mission to provide the best environment possible for each employee, patient and visitor.
“We want to recognize how difficult this tribunal has been for everyone directly and indirectly involved. Our focus now is to ensure that NHS Fife remains a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees and our patients and to deliver health and care to the population of Fife,” – NHS Fife
Sandie Peggie—we’ll be hearing from her with broader reactions to the tribunal’s findings in the days to come. Her case is starting to raise awareness for the need of workplace policies regarding gender identity and women’s rights. Regardless of the decision from this tribunal, its rulings will likely reverberate throughout other healthcare settings and impact future policies surrounding inclusivity and privacy.