An HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) employee, Martin Bentley, has been ordered to pay £20,000 in legal costs after an employment tribunal in Liverpool ruled against his refusal to return to office work following the COVID-19 lockdown.
The tribunal found that Bentley’s continued insistence on working from home was not supported by medical evidence, rejecting his claims of discrimination and poor treatment.
Bentley, who worked at HMRC’s Liverpool office, began remote work during the pandemic but resisted returning when restrictions eased. He cited long-term health issues, including anxiety, depression, and kidney disease, arguing that office duties—especially phone-related tasks—caused him stress.
However, medical assessments found him fit to return to the office, and HMRC offered several accommodations, including paying for taxis to and from work. The tribunal noted that Bentley declined these offers and exaggerated claims of mistreatment by managers.
In her ruling, Employment Judge Dawn Shotter stated that Bentley’s allegations were “unsubstantiated and exaggerated,” concluding that his claims of disability discrimination had no reasonable prospect of success.
HMRC, in a statement, said the organisation supports flexible work where appropriate but remains an office-based employer with operational needs that require in-person presence.
The case underscores the growing tensions between remote work expectations and post-pandemic office mandates, serving as a warning for employees and employers navigating flexible work arrangements.