A former estate agent has been awarded £185,000 by an employment tribunal after her employer refused to consider her request to finish work at 5pm to pick up her daughter from nursery. Alice Thompson, who worked at Manors estate agency in central London, resigned after her manager rejected her flexible working proposal.
The tribunal ruled that the firm's failure to consider her request amounted to indirect sex discrimination. Ms Thompson had asked to work a four-day week and leave at 5pm instead of 6pm after returning from maternity leave in 2018. She told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour that her proposal was 'shut down' and she was left with no option but to resign.
The award includes compensation for loss of earnings, pension contributions, injury to feelings, and interest. The tribunal found that the firm's director, Paul Sellar, had not properly considered Ms Thompson's request, putting her at a disadvantage because of her sex.
However, other claims of discrimination related to pregnancy and maternity, and harassment, were dismissed. The tribunal noted that Sellar had arranged a staff trip to New York to accommodate Ms Thompson's pregnancy and that she had felt excluded during the trip, but this was not due to any action by the employer.
Ms Thompson said she pursued the case to prompt change and ensure her daughter would not face similar treatment in the future. She described the legal journey as 'long and exhausting' but worth it to 'stand up for what is right'.
