UK Supreme Court Ruling on the Legal Definition of "Woman”

May 13, 2025

What does this mean for Irish and UK Employers 

On 16 April 2025, the UK Supreme Court issued a major ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers. The court confirmed that, for the purposes of the UK Equality Act 2010, the word “woman” refers to biological sex — not gender identity.


While this ruling is specific to the UK, it raises important questions for Irish employers too. As employment legislation and equality rights continue to evolve, understanding the legal distinctions between sex, gender identity, and legal gender is essential for maintaining inclusive and compliant workplaces.


What Does This Mean for Employers in Ireland?


Irish law is different. In Ireland:

Gender is self-declared — no medical diagnosis is needed to change legal gender.

“Gender” under Irish equality law includes gender identity and transgender status.

There’s currently no Irish case law defining “sex” for legal purposes.


Key Considerations for Irish Employers


Records & Documentation: Employees who have changed their legal gender are entitled to have their records updated.


Inclusion & Anti-Discrimination: Irish law protects against discrimination on the ground of gender, which includes gender identity.


Single-Sex Spaces: There is no clear Irish guidance yet — a case-by-case approach, guided by respect and legal advice, is best.


Gender Targets: If your organisation uses gender-based quotas or reporting, be clear whether these refer to legal gender or biological sex.


In Summary


This is a UK-specific ruling, but it’s a reminder for Irish employers to ensure that policies are inclusive, legally up-to-date, and respectful of all employees’ identities. If you're unsure how this affects your workplace, we’re here to help.


Contact us at info@mssthehrpeople.ie for practical, tailored advice.

Three Tips to Improve Your Recruitment Process
By Tara Daly August 12, 2025
Lets explore how Irish employers can streamline hiring processes through technology, compliant CV screening, targeted advertising, and a strong employer brand.
From Policy to Practice: Making EDI a Reality in Your Business
By Tara Daly August 12, 2025
Many employers now have a written diversity, equity and inclusion (EDI) policy, but turning that policy into a lived workplace culture is a very different challenge.
Proposed New Leave Entitlements for Pregnancy Loss. What Employers Need to Know
By Tara Daly August 12, 2025
The Pregnancy Loss (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 has been introduced in the Seanad and proposes a significant development in statutory leave entitlements.
Managing Difficult Behaviours in the Workplace Practical Tips for Irish Employers
By Tara Daly August 12, 2025
Every workplace encounters difficult behaviours at some point. Spotting and managing them early, from negativity to resistance, is key to a healthy environment.
Employee or Contractor? Why Labels Might Not Protect You Anymore
By Tara Daly August 12, 2025
A recent decision by the WRC has put a spotlight on the blurred lines between independent contractors and employees and what it means for employers in Ireland.
By Tara Daly July 29, 2025
MSS - The HR People Achieves CPD Accreditation: What It Means for You At MSS - The HR People, we’re proud to announce that we have been officially accredited to deliver CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, practical, and professionally relevant training to businesses across Ireland. But what exactly does CPD accreditation mean? Why is it significant? And, most importantly, how does it benefit the clients and professionals who choose MSS for their HR training? What Is CPD and Why Does It Matter? Continuing Professional Development (CPD) refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge, and experience gained both formally and informally as professionals work, beyond any initial training. CPD is essential in every sector but especially in fields like HR, where employment law, workplace regulations, and people management practices are constantly evolving. CPD-accredited training is independently assessed and verified to ensure that it meets industry standards for learning outcomes, relevance, structure, and delivery. Accreditation confirms that the training is not just informative, but valuable, impactful, and capable of contributing meaningfully to a participant’s professional development. In short, CPD accreditation is a mark of quality - and we’re delighted to now carry it. What CPD Accreditation Means for Us Becoming a CPD-accredited provider is a significant validation of our work. It’s more than a badge or certificate - it’s recognition from an external body that our training: Delivers clear learning outcomes Meets the expectations of professional development standards Is structured, well-presented, and aligned with current best practices Is designed with real-world application in mind For our team, this accreditation reinforces the integrity of our training content and confirms that the learning we provide is of the same high standard expected by national and international professional organisations. It also shows that we take our role as HR educators seriously. Whether we’re delivering workshops on employment law compliance, HR policies, or best-practice recruitment and onboarding, we are doing so in a way that stands up to scrutiny, offers measurable learning outcomes, and contributes to the continuous upskilling of our clients. What It Means for Our Clients and Training Participants CPD accreditation matters because it gives our clients confidence - not just in what we teach, but in how we teach it. Whether you're an SME owner trying to stay compliant, a people manager learning how to lead teams effectively, or an HR professional seeking to grow your knowledge base, attending a CPD-accredited session with MSS brings many advantages: 1. Assurance of Quality With CPD accreditation, clients know that our training is rigorously vetted. You’re not just taking our word for it - an independent body has confirmed that the training you’re investing in meets a high standard of professional learning. 2. Tangible Professional Development For individuals building their careers or maintaining professional memberships, CPD points or hours gained through our training can be recorded as part of formal CPD logs. This is especially relevant for HR professionals, business owners, and line managers who must show ongoing learning as part of their industry obligations. 3. Enhanced Employer Credibility Businesses that invest in CPD-accredited training show their teams and stakeholders that they care about learning, improvement, and staying up to date. It’s a positive reflection on company culture and helps improve employee engagement and retention. 4. Peace of Mind Around Compliance From Inclusive Leadership, Dignity at Work and Managing Difficult Behaviours, our accredited training ensures that you and your team are not only aware of your responsibilities but are applying them correctly. That means fewer risks, fewer mistakes, and a more confident leadership approach across your organisation. 5. Career Progression for Attendees Participants who undertake CPD-accredited training can use it to build their professional profile, apply for promotions, or demonstrate ongoing learning to regulatory or membership bodies. It helps turn learning into career momentum. A Mark of Trust for the Future At MSS - The HR People, we’ve always believed that training should be more than a tick-box exercise. It should inspire new ways of thinking, give people the tools to do their jobs better, and create lasting value for the businesses we support. Being CPD-accredited adds another layer of trust for our clients. It shows that we’re not just offering what’s popular or convenient - we’re offering what’s recognised, verified, and of real value. As we look ahead, CPD accreditation allows us to expand our training offering with confidence. From one-hour sessions and lunch-and-learns to multi-day workshops and tailored in-house programmes, all our CPD-accredited training will continue to be: Grounded in practical, real-world HR expertise Updated regularly to reflect changes in law and best practice Delivered in an accessible, engaging format that suits busy teams Backed by independent quality assurance Let’s Grow Together Whether you’re new to HR responsibilities or managing people across multiple departments, learning is essential. With CPD-accredited training from MSS - The HR People, you’re guaranteed a high-quality learning experience that’s both professionally recognised and immediately useful in your role.  Contact us today to find out more about our CPD-accredited training programmes or visit www.mssthehrpeople.ie/hr-training for more details.
Ireland Ranked Second in the World for Work-Life Balance
By Tara Daly July 10, 2025
Ireland has once again been recognised as a global leader in work-life balance, ranking second in Remote’s 2025 Global Life-Work Balance Index.
Irish Employment Hits Record High
By Tara Daly July 10, 2025
The Central Statistics Office has published the Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2025, offering a detailed snapshot of employment trends in Ireland.
Preparing for the EU Pay Transparency Directive - What Employers Need to Know
By Tara Daly July 10, 2025
At MSS The HR People, we’re already working with clients to get ahead of these changes and turn compliance into an opportunity for stronger engagement and trust.
By Tara Daly July 10, 2025
Although the Mechanical Contracting Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) was formally quashed in 2023, many employers in the mechanical engineering and building services sector continue to follow the rates and terms recommended by the Connect Trade Union. In May 2025, Connect announced a new round of pay increases, which we must presume were agreed with a number of unionised companies. While these rates are no longer legally binding on the sector as a whole, they continue to serve as the benchmark industry standard, particularly for employers operating in unionised environments or engaging in public sector contracts. Why Employers Continue to Follow Union Rates Even in the absence of a statutory requirement, the Connect Trade Union rates remain widely applied. This is driven by several practical and commercial factors: Industry Expectations - Many public bodies and main contractors expect compliance with union rates when awarding work. Workforce Relations - Continuing to align with recognised terms helps maintain positive industrial relations and minimise the risk of disputes with Connect Trade Union. Attracting Talent -In a competitive labour market, benchmarked and transparent rates support recruitment and retention of qualified tradespeople. Consistency and Clarity - Using established rate structures avoids confusion and ensures alignment with sector norms. Updated Pay Rates – Effective May 2025 The revised rates announced by Connect Trade Union came into effect from 1st May 2025 , based on a standard 39-hour working week: