Overview
- Rose Henderson told the Newcastle hearing she has used the women’s facilities since September 2019 and only learned of formal complaints in March 2024.
- She denied allegations of staring at colleagues, walking around in boxer shorts, and asking women if they were getting changed, citing discomfort with her body.
- Henderson said press coverage led to online abuse and severe anxiety, prompting special leave in mid‑2024 and later sick leave, and she now uses a separate room as well as the female facilities.
- Matron Sandra Watson testified that an 'inclusive' poster placed on a single‑sex changing room in July 2024 was removed after she sought senior advice because it did not feel appropriate.
- Watson said HR indicated policies allowed use of facilities corresponding to an employee’s stated gender, which led her to question whether trust policies were correctly aligned; the tribunal continues.