Indirect sex discrimination: requirement that single-parent police officer on term-time working work nine days during school holidays

Mather v Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police ET/242762/2013, ET/2409037/2013 & ET/2409239/2013

sex discrimination | indirect discrimination | term-time working

An employment tribunal has found that Greater Manchester Police indirectly discriminated against a single-parent police officer who worked term time only when it introduced a requirement that she work nine days during school holidays. The case is a stark reminder to public-sector organisations reviewing flexible working arrangements as a way to cut costs to beware of the potential for discrimination.