How much information?

giraffe69

Our local authority is running a consultation on what should happen to the library service.

In addition to the questions about the scheme there are some typical personal questions such as age, ethnic background(this one you have to select an option) etc. One question stood out as, to my mind, a classic example of gratuitous intrusion. After the question "What gender are you?" the next one was "Is your gender now the one to which you were assigned at birth?" :eek: Who dreamed this up as being a valuable addition to this consultation?

Dr_Cuckoo3

The survey is here ;



https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LibraryReviewStrategyConsultation



"When consulting with our residents and service users Barnet Council needs to understand the views of our different communities. We also have a statutory requirement to collect information in relation to nine protected characteristics which are included in the Equality Act 2010.

Therefore we have to ask you some personal questions. The information you provide will remain strictly confidential, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.


Females only: Pregnant and on maternity leave

As part of the new Equality Act 2010 the council has a statutory requirement to collect information in relation to 'protected characteristics' which includes information on women who are pregnant and on maternity leave. Answering this question will assist us in meeting our legal obligations. It will also help us understand the different needs of our communities. All responses will be completely confidential.

This question is optional
26. Are you pregnant and/or on maternity leave? (please tick one option on each row)


As part of the new Equality Act 2010 the council has a statutory requirement to collect information in relation to 'protected characteristics' which includes gender re assignment. Answering this question will assist us in meeting our legal obligations. It will also help us understand the different needs of our communities. All responses will be completely confidential.

This question is optional.
27. Is your gender identity the same as the gender you were assigned at birth?

Since February 2006, new legislation was introduced to afford protection from discrimination on grounds of sexuality, religion and belief. Answering the following two questions will assist us in meeting our legal obligations. All responses will be completely confidential.

These questions are optional. "


It's as 'valuable' as the other 'Equalities' questions


Although Councils state that 'Equalities' data is confidential , I have found that the following libraries ask for 'Equalities' data when joining the library

* Barking and Dagenham
* Brent
* Enfield
* Ealing
* Hackney
* Havering
* Newham
* Redbridge
* Richmond Upon Thames
* Tower Hamlets
* Waltham Forest
* Wandsworth

and the information you provide is visible to library staff - you can join these libraries online and collect the library card by visiting the library , when collecting the card the staff member could see the 'Equalities' data I had entered and queried some of it as they had not encountered anyone with the same 'Equalities Characteristics' before

other libraries use the same software

I thought this data was collected for statiscal purposes only :eek:

xangeleyes

giraffe69 wrote: »

"Is your gender now the one to which you were assigned at birth?" :eek: Who dreamed this up as being a valuable addition to this consultation?

Haha, I filled out a job application for our local council and they asked this too.
My gender is the same, but I thought How RUDE for them to ask, what business is it of theirs?

MothballsWallet

In case you were transgender?

maninthestreet

MothballsWallet wrote: »

In case you were transgender?

,,,,and how on earth is that related in any way to libraries???

Dr_Cuckoo3

maninthestreet wrote: »

,,,,and how on earth is that related in any way to libraries???

The library may have toilets for library users :idea:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1064870/University-renames-gents-toilets-urinals--avoid-upsetting-transexual-students.html

"a number of transgender women claimed they were uncomfortable using men’s loos.

A sign reading 'Toilets with urinals' was duly placed over the traditional 'stick man' symbol while a 'Toilets' sign replaced the women's graphic."

meritaten

fgs! ok, now instead of just ladies and gents toilets should we now have?...............Ladies, Gents, Females who used to be male, Males who used to be female, Disabled, Mother and baby........am I forgetting anyone? oh yes of course!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont Knows! Thats only seven different toilets not counting Staff, Male and Female, Males who used to be................before you know it there will be more toilets than books in the Library! Sh*t I forgot the Teens!

Dr_Cuckoo3

meritaten wrote: »

fgs! ok, now instead of just ladies and gents toilets should we now have?...............Ladies, Gents, Females who used to be male, Males who used to be female, Disabled, Mother and baby........am I forgetting anyone? oh yes of course!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont Knows! Thats only seven different toilets not counting Staff, Male and Female, Males who used to be................before you know it there will be more toilets than books in the Library! Sh*t I forgot the Teens!

I notice that some new supermarkets just have a "one size fits all" toilet

These toilets can cater for male , female and disabled males and females all in the same toilet (only one person at a time - athough a parent or carer may also be present

No doubt these toilets also cater for transgender persons

The drawback is that one one person can use them at a time