Council to pay £25,000 following sex discrimination tribunal after bosses ‘deadnamed’ transgender employee

A transgender council worker has won more than £25,000 after bosses at Kingston Council failed to change her name on their admin system.

The employment tribunal heard that the council took more than two years to update the woman’s name on her pension records, and almost as long to update her door pass and name on the staff directory, meaning her “deadname” was used instead.

“Deadnaming” is the act of referring to a transgender or non-binary person by a name they used prior to transitioning.

Her work locker had a sticky note on it with her previous name crossed out and new name written instead, the employment tribunal heard. 

The trans woman, identified as Miss AB, claimed she was given no support by her employer who she said failed in its duty of care towards her.

In what is thought to be the first case of its kind in the UK, Miss AB successfully sued her employers for sex discrimination.

Upholding her claim, the panel ruled that “deadnaming” the worker was “less favourable treatment” which had contributed to her distress.

She was awarded £25,423 in compensation including £21,000 for injury to feelings.

Kingston Council has been approached for comment.