A Scottish nurse's objection to undressing in front of a biologically male colleague has ignited a protracted legal battle, raising fundamental questions about sex-segregated spaces and women's rights in the workplace.
A Complaint That Led to Suspension
In December 2023, veteran nurse Sandie Peggie, with over three decades of service, found herself sharing a staff change room at a hospital operated by NHS Fife with a colleague, Beth Upton, who identifies as a transgender woman. Uncomfortable with the situation, Peggie filed a formal complaint alleging breaches of the U.K.'s Equality Act, including discrimination, harassment, and victimization.
The situation escalated when Upton countered that Peggie's complaint itself constituted bullying and harassment. NHS Fife subsequently suspended Peggie, citing these allegations and unfounded claims about patient care issues. A later tribunal ruling would explicitly state: "There was no direct evidence that established that patient care was adversely affected at all."
An Employment Tribunal's Mixed Ruling
In December 2025, a Scottish employment tribunal delivered a complex verdict. It found that NHS Fife had harassed Peggie in four specific ways:
- Failing to stop Upton from using the female change room after Peggie's complaint, leading to two further encounters.
- Taking too long to investigate the complaints Upton made against Peggie.
- Inappropriately referring to the baseless patient care allegations.
- Telling Peggie not to discuss the entire case rather than just the investigation details.
However, the tribunal dismissed most of Peggie's other claims, including those of discrimination and victimization, and all claims directly against Upton. Peggie's lawyer, Margaret Gribbon, has announced an appeal, calling the overall ruling "hugely problematic."
A Broader Fight for Sex-Based Rights
Peggie's case arrives in a contentious legal landscape. Earlier in 2025, the U.K. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that "woman" is a biological sex category. Peggie's supporters argue her fight is to ensure such legal recognitions translate into practical protections, like single-sex change rooms for female nurses.
During tribunal hearings, Upton testified to feeling unsafe with Peggie in the change room but admitted to continuing to use it. Peggie's backers frame this as a reversal of victim and offender, arguing Peggie's career and reputation have been placed in disarray for asserting a boundary.
This case underscores that despite high-level court rulings, the application of sex-based rights in daily life—particularly in sensitive, intimate spaces—remains a fiercely contested arena requiring further legal clarification and brave individuals willing to endure public scrutiny.
