Trans postal worker wins discrimination case against Royal Mail

A trans postal worker has successfully sued Royal Mail for harassment and discrimination after enduring repeated abuse from colleagues, in what is being hailed as a landmark legal victory.

Sophie Cole, 46, from Cambridge, was awarded £12,500 in damages following an employment tribunal that found Royal Mail failed to act on her complaints of bullying, verbal abuse, and even physical assault. The tribunal concluded that the company had not taken adequate steps to protect her from a hostile work environment.

Ms Cole, who began her transition in 2016, joined Royal Mail after leaving a senior role in the financial sector, believing the organisation would offer a safer and more inclusive workplace. However, she reported being subjected to transphobic slurs, unwanted touching, and having her car spat on. One incident involved a colleague allegedly assaulting her - a complaint she says was ignored by management, leading to further mistreatment.

Representing herself in court, Ms Cole argued that the abuse she suffered was not only discriminatory but also constituted harassment based on her perceived gender. In a significant legal development, the tribunal accepted that if a perpetrator perceived her as a woman during the harassment, she could be recognised as a female victim - despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that defined “woman” in legal terms as biological sex.

“This case is believed to be the first of its kind where a trans woman has been recognised as a female victim of harassment based on how she was perceived by her harassers,” Ms Cole said. “I’m grateful the judge was willing to interpret the law in a way that reflects the reality of how trans people are treated.”

Royal Mail has accepted the tribunal’s findings and stated it is implementing the recommended training and policy changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.