a) Can an employee DEMAND part-time working from their employer?
I don't have intimate knowledge of the law in this respect but I don't think they can. (Exception being returning to work immediately after childbirth?)
b) Does BA have the resources to offer PTW to anyone who wants it?
At the moment, on the pilot's side, I don't think they do. It would be a good thing to aim at for the future but is not practical in the present.
c) How do they decide, given that there are more applications than places, who gets PTW?
With difficulty, I imagine. How do you decide 'merit' in individual cases? Maybe they have a 'points system', i.e. 1 child = 1 pt, 2 children = 2, single parent = 2.5, ethnic minority = 1.5, old grandmother = 0.75, round-the-world cruise = 0.25, etc.
d) What are the implications inherent in a win for the plaintiff in the current tribunal?
The first thing that comes to mind is that PTW for males will be effectively unavailable as all the 'slots' will be taken by females. The second is that BA will probably stop actively recruiting women and just advertise for 'pilots'.
e) How is PTW handled in other departments in the Company?
Cabin crew, who now consist of something like 60-70% part-timers, put their names down on a list. When they get to the top, they are offered PTW on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. No 'value judgements' required.