Guidance

Sex Equality and Equity Network (SEEN)

Updated 1 February 2024

SEEN is a staff network committed to promoting and supporting sex equality and equity between women and men in our workplaces, and helping all staff to thrive at work and fulfil their potential. The focus of our network is on challenging sex discrimination and upholding rights and protections that relate to sex (including the protections provided to those with the protected characteristics of sex, pregnancy and maternity and sexual orientation, as set out in the Equality Act 2010). We recognise that to achieve this and ensure sex equality and equity sometimes requires treating women and men differently, according to our different rights and needs.

We are also committed to the protected belief (covered by the protected characteristic of religion and belief in the Equality Act 2010) that biological sex is binary and immutable, that biological sex matters for both women and men in our everyday lives, including for our rights and needs in the workplace, and that biological sex must not be conflated with, or replaced by, the concepts of gender or gender identity.

SEEN membership is open to UK civil servants and public sector staff - from central government departments, agencies, and their associated public bodies including arm’s length bodies - who support our mission and share our values.

If you would like to contact us, learn more about our mission or membership, or be added to our mailing list, please get in touch.