ETZ 4(WR) EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS (SCOTLAND) Case No: 4106434/2019 (V) Hearing by Cloud Video Platform (CVP) on and April; and Deliberation on April 2021 Employment Judge: M A Macleod Tribunal Member: N Elliot Tribunal Member : R Henderson Mr Basil Hamza v HM Revenue and Customs — 2021

The claimant worked for HM Revenue & Customs on a CSI contract involving late and weekend cover. After his wife's change of workplace affected childcare arrangements, he applied for an Alternative Work Pattern reducing his weekly hours and avoiding work after 3.30pm, while offering weekend work. The respondent did not grant the application as submitted and sought some late-shift cover, after which the claimant resigned.

On the direct sex discrimination claim, the tribunal found that the relevant difference between the claimant and his female comparator, Ms Jeffrey, was not sex but Ms Jeffrey's willingness and ability to work a Friday late shift. The tribunal accepted that late shifts, particularly Friday evenings, were important to the respondent's business need and found that a hypothetical female comparator making the same application as the claimant would also have been refused.

On the indirect sex discrimination claim, the tribunal found that the respondent did not apply a PCP requiring staff, or male staff, to work full-time. It noted that Ms Jeffrey, Mr Alexander and potentially the claimant could work part-time if an acceptable pattern including late cover was agreed. The tribunal also found that the claimant had not shown a disadvantage because of sex, and dismissed all claims.