Jason Grant is to take legal action after he was removed from his post as Tayside’s period dignity officer, The Courier can reveal.
Mr Grant, who just weeks ago was announced as the figure leading the local fight against period poverty, has instructed Dundee firm MML Legal to take up his case.
It’s understood he will pursue claims under the Equality Act 2010, including a possible claim of sex discrimination.
Legal action revolves around treatment
It comes after his employers — a working group made up of staff from Dundee & Angus College, Perth College, as well as councils in Dundee and Angus — announced the role had been axed.
The decision was made after a host of famous names reacted angrily to a man being given the job with the story receiving coverage across the globe.
Leading employment law specialist, Ryan Russell, of MML Legal, confirmed the firm’s involvement in the case.
He says Mr Grant has been hung out to dry by the group and has gone from “poster boy to fall guy”.
Mr Russell said: “Let it be known that my client was removed from his role and did not leave.
“This was not something they wanted to happen and he was excluded from key discussions and decisions that were made.
If Jason was not a man, would he have been dismissed from the role?
Ryan Russell, partner at MML Legal, Dundee
“My client was publicly removed on Tuesday before his employer had officially confirmed the position in writing to him.
“Jason was appointed by the partnership and collectively they concluded that this person was the best candidate for the role after a thorough recruitment process.
“A very public landmark appointment was to be the beginning of an exciting new chapter for all concerned. The reality has been poster boy to fall guy in a matter of weeks.”
Role scrapped over ‘threats and abuse’
Mr Grant, who is from Dundee, has so far declined to comment publicly on the situation.
But it’s understood the former personal trainer, who would have received an annual salary of up to £36,126, has struggled with the immense public scrutiny.
The working group — which is all female — previously described the position as a “pioneering new role to end period poverty and reduce stigma”.
But in a remarkable U-turn, the role has now been completely scrapped.
Bosses accused of doing ‘absolutely nothing’ to protect employee
Mr Russell said: “The partnership chose to remain completely silent in the last few weeks until publicly announcing the dismissal from the post.
“The partnership said absolutely nothing whilst Jason came under constant attack from all around the globe.
“There are many legal issues arising not only from the appointment but in the decisions that have been made not to support Jason or stand by their appointment which could impact his health, career and future prospects.”
He added: “If Jason was not a man, would he have been dismissed from the role?
“How would you feel if a member of your family was treated like this? The legal process and pursuit of justice will bring answers.”
The working group declined to comment on the legal action.
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