Trans woman who applied for a council job with man’s CV has harassment case against the local authority thrown out after trying to sue them for asking what name they should use

By Dan Grennan[1]

Published: 16:53, 5 December 2023 | Updated: 20:01, 5 December 2023

A trans woman, who applied for a council job with a man's CV, has had her harassment case against the local authority thrown out after trying to sue them for asking what name they should use.

Mandie Monroe caused 'confusion' soon after joining the authority because her name on the rota was Mandie but her name on her email said Andy.

During her job interview, Ms Monroe - who was known as Andy Mason before transitioning in 2018 - told council bosses 'I am old school' and that she 'doesn't focus on pronouns'.

After the confusion over her name, her manager asked Ms Monroe what name she would prefer to use at work to ensure there was 'consistency' for council staff and customers.

Ms Monroe responded that she was 'content' to be called Andy in the workplace.

Mandie Monroe caused 'confusion' soon after joining the authority because her name on the rota was Mandie but her name on her email said Andy

A few weeks later, after a dispute at work led to the housing officer leaving her job, Ms Monroe tried to sue Central Bedfordshire Council, claiming that being asked whether she wants to be called Andy or Mandie amounted to transgender[2] harassment.

But she has lost her case, with an employment tribunal ruling that her boss had been simply trying to 'seek clarification'.

The Watford employment tribunal was told Ms Monroe came out as transgender in 2018.

On official tribunal papers, her name appears as Mandie Monroe.

A tribunal report said: 'Ms Monroe came out in April 2018 as transgender, transitioning from male to female.

'She had been working in social care and healthcare in excess of 35 years.

'For the previous 10 years, she worked as a contractor for local authorities and County councils; also worked as an Accommodation Officer; a Hospital Discharge and Homeless Specialist Advisor, and a Housing Officer working with families and individuals with housing needs.'

Ms Monroe tried to sue Central Bedfordshire Council, claiming that being asked whether she wants to be called Andy or Mandie amounted to transgender harassment.

Pictured: Central Bedfordshire Council

She was interviewed for a housing officer job at Central Bedfordshire Council by team leaders Naomi Rodriguez and Mai Brown in March 2022 and was hired from April 19, 2022.

The report continued: 'On her application form she used the name Andy Mason, and throughout the interview she was referred to by her first name of Andy.

'Near the end of the interview she disclosed that she was transgender.

'At that point she was thanked by Ms Brown and Ms Rodriguez for informing them and was asked by Ms Brown which were her preferred pronouns moving forward.

'According to Ms Brown, Ms Monroe's response was: "I am old school, I don't really focus on those pronouns. I am a cross-dresser sometimes you might see me in a dress but you can call me Andy".'

The tribunal found Ms Monroe was 'content to be called Andy' and that 'she did not say that addressing her in the masculine was unacceptable'.

On April 26, when asked by a female colleague what she would like as her name on the rota, Ms Monroe 'did not answer her directly but instead stood up and showed her long skirt and top'.

Her name was put down as Mandie on the rota however her email name showed her name as Andy.

The report added: 'On April 29, 2022, Ms Rodriguez had a conversation via a Teams video call to explain to Ms Monroe that although she was free to use whatever name she wished, for other staff and customers there would be the need for consistency, and that she should consider whether she should be referred to as either Mandie or Andy.

'She replied stating that she would be content to be referred to as Andy in the workplace, however, her friends and acquaintances outside of work call her Mandie and would accept the pronouns "he/him" [in the workplace].

'Ms Rodriguez took her response to mean that Mandie would be used by her friends and acquaintances outside of work, but in the workplace, she preferred to be addressed by the name of Andy.

'Ms Rodriguez called [the female colleague] via Teams and asked that in future rotas, Ms Monroe should be referred to by the name of Andy to avoid confusion with customers.

'[She] agreed to put her down as Andy on future rotas.'

The tribunal heard Ms Monroe had a fallout with bosses over work-related matters and by May 18, 2022, she stopped working for the council, whose head office is in Shefford, Bedfordshire.

Despite not complaining about trans harassment at the time, Ms Monroe launched legal proceedings for the claim following her dismissal.

However, Employment Judge Stephen Bedeau dismissed the claim.

Judge Bedeau said: 'We could not find any reason or motive why [council staff] would refuse to accept the name of Mandie if Ms Monroe had expressed her wish to be called by that name.

'She had a good working relationship with Ms Rodriguez, her line manager, and there was nothing to suggest that there was any animosity between the two of them.

'She did not instruct Ms Monroe to use the name of Andy at work. It was Ms Monroe's choice.

'It is clear that she continued to use her personal email in the name of Andy Mason.

'It was confusing as it was a situation created by Ms Monroe.

In order to have consistency, it was important for her to be addressed either by Mandie or Andy.

'All Ms Rodriguez was doing was to seek clarification from her as to how she should be addressed.

'Ms Rodriguez's discussion with her, though related to transgender, was not unwanted conduct.

'All she was seeking from her was consistency at work on how she should be referred to on the rota as she wanted to avoid confusion to those reading the rota.

'It is noteworthy that Ms Monroe elected to be called Andy during her interview..'

Ms Monroe lost other claims including whistle-blowing and disability harassment related to her autism.

References

1. ^ Dan Grennan (www.dailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ transgender (www.dailymail.co.uk)
3. ^ Transgender Issues (www.dailymail.co.uk)