Bank of England Adjusts Dress Code for Transgender Equality

The Bank of England has informed its employees that “transgender equality” is integral to its mission, prompting changes to dress code policies. A 17-page document titled ‘Guidance on Transgender Equality and Transition in the Workplace’ outlines a progressive stance on office attire, allowing individuals to, for instance, “wear a suit with high heels,” as reported by the Telegraph.

This guidance emphasizes that staff can alternate between “masculine and feminine expressions” in their clothing. Genderfluid employees might opt for a suit one day and a dress the next, showcasing a blend of personal expression.

The document goes further by permitting “trans men” to wear prominent earrings, “cis men” to apply eye shadow, and “trans women” to maintain beards—reflecting a shift in traditional norms.

Alongside these changes, the central bank provided information on utilizing “neo pronouns” for colleagues identifying as transgender or non-binary. Instead of using standard pronouns like “he” and “she,” employees are encouraged to adopt alternatives such as “xe/xem/xyr,” “ze/hir/hirs,” and “ey/em/eir.”

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey was quoted in the guidance, highlighting the significance of trans equality for financial institutions. He noted that, similar to other diversity dimensions, trans and non-binary team members bring valuable experiences that enhance the organization.

The Daily Mail pointed out that this new dress code deviates from the bank’s historical norms, which encompassed strict, albeit unspoken, attire regulations that often signified rank. Traditionally, younger male employees wore navy suits, while those in higher positions donned gray. Additionally, brown shoes were typically discouraged.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, former business secretary and a figure known for traditional values, criticized the guidance as a misallocation of resources. He remarked, “Firstly, there are men and women, not ‘cis’ men,” challenging the validity of the term itself. Rees-Mogg expressed that the bank should focus more on effective monetary policy rather than on what he perceives as trivial matters.