Former RCN Policy Officer Alleges Discrimination Over Gender Views

A former policy officer for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) testified at an employment tribunal that the union's investigation into her work made her feel like a "bigot." Lisa Mackenzie, who resigned from her position in 2019, stated she was investigated for external work she undertook outside of her union role.

According to Mackenzie, her interest in sex and gender policies began in 2018, leading her to co-found a gender-critical policy analysis group. She informed her RCN line manager about a draft article she had written for this group, offering to share it after a contentious gender-critical event in Edinburgh in June 2019. This disclosure prompted an investigation into a potential breach of her contract with the RCN, although it did not result in formal disciplinary action.

Mackenzie told the tribunal that she felt her article was considered "problematic from RCN’s point of view" and that she had violated her employment contract by not seeking permission to write for external publications. She expressed frustration at not knowing precisely which of her views were considered problematic by the RCN, describing the investigation as "the worst experience of my working life."

She also recounted being asked by her line manager to write a statement about her values and to consider whether they aligned with the RCN’s equalities and diversity statement. Mackenzie felt this implied her values were "deficient" and that the union was attempting to characterize her as a "bigot."

RCN lawyer David Hay, KC, stated during the tribunal that the investigation had considered Mackenzie’s RCN portfolio, which included work with the Scottish Prison Service. The investigation concluded that her external work and criticism of the prison service "may have impacted on RCN’s own work."

Mackenzie's testimony comes as part of nurse Sandie Peggie's employment tribunal against the RCN. Peggie claims the union discriminated against her due to her gender-critical beliefs. Peggie had previously pursued a case against NHS Fife after sharing a changing room with a transgender medic, Dr. Beth Upton, in December 2023. An employment tribunal in December of the previous year partially upheld Peggie's claims of harassment against NHS Fife but dismissed allegations of discrimination, indirect discrimination, and victimisation.

Peggie's current case against the RCN alleges the union failed to provide adequate support during her dispute with NHS Fife and refused her request for legal assistance in January 2025. The RCN denies all claims of discrimination. The tribunal is ongoing.