Male period poverty tsar wins bid to take action against four public bodies who hired him

A man who lost his job as Scotland’s first “period poverty tsar” after a global backlash has won his bid to take legal action against the public bodies who hired him.

Jason Grant, a former personal trainer, was hired as period dignity officer for the Tayside region in August last year after it became a legal requirement for local authorities and educational settings under the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021.

The post was meant to involve discussing sanitary products in schools and colleges with students.

But the role was abolished weeks later amid claims that “threats and abuse” had been levelled towards individuals involved in the project.

Many people believed the position should have been filled by a woman. Tennis icon Martina Navratilova was among those who took to social media to express their displeasure, calling Mr Grant’s appointment “f****** ridiculous”.

It was widely reported that Mr Grant was appointed by a working group comprising representatives from Dundee and Angus College, Perth College, Angus Council and Dundee City Council.

Mr Grant is now suing the working group which hired him for the role, alleging the decision to remove him from the post was taken because he is a man.

If proven, such a move would be illegal under discrimination laws.

Evidence will be given that suggests Mr Grant was excluded from meetings leading up to his role being scrapped. He will also claim that the news that he was losing his job was made public before he received official confirmation.

Dundee & Angus College had argued that it held sole responsibility but that has been rejected by an employment tribunal.

Ryan Russell, who is representing Mr Grant as Dundee firm MML’s head of employment, said: “They granted our amendment, which now puts all of them in the frame. We are now pursuing all four of them plus the partnership.

“Given that we now a year down the line since the events that occurred, my client is hopeful the tribunal will take place by the end of the year or early next year.”

Separate claims of victimisation, constructive dismissal and sex discrimination have already been lodged by Mr Grant against Dundee and Angus College.

The Tayside period dignity working group previously claimed that he was the “strongest candidate”.

Announcing his departure days later, it said: “It is regrettable that given the threats and abuse levelled at individuals in recent weeks, the period dignity regional lead officer role will not continue.

“The group’s joint work to provide free period products is rooted in kindness. We therefore ask that the same spirit of kindness is extended to those involved and their privacy is respected.”

Mr Russell added: “I can confirm that in middle of June 2023 we lodged further claims of sex discrimination, victimisation and constructive dismissal against Dundee College only.

“These relates to the original removal of Mr Grant and his treatment leading up to his resignation. A decision will be taken in due course on whether the claims will be joined together.

“Given that we now a year down the line since the events that occurred, my client is hopeful the tribunal will take place by the end of the year or early next year.”

Dundee City Council, Angus Council and Perth College said it would be inappropriate to comment on the proceedings.

But Dundee and Angus College said: “It has always been and remains Dundee & Angus College’s position that it was the employer of Mr Grant.”

The period dignity officer role was advertised online with a salary between £33,153 and £36,126 a year on a fixed term contract until 2024.

Legislation to offer free period products was proposed by Labour MSP Monica Lennon and it was unanimously backed in the Scottish Parliament in 2020.