Reference:
Request detail:
I am requesting the below under the freedom of information act.
For each of the calendar years 2019, 2020, 2021, and this year to date, please can you provide figures on the following:
1. How many formal grievances have been raised with the service by female members of staff and female firefighters regarding complaints of harassment, inappropriate behaviour and assault?
2 How many claims have been submitted to employment tribunal regarding the above;
3. How many of those claims have settled prior to a full/remedy hearing;
4. What was the settlement figure in each claim?
5. How many of those settlements involved the signing of a non-disclosure agreement?
6. How many grievance/discipline cases have been brought by the service in relation to inappropriate behaviour/conduct* by an employee (*sex discrimination, harassment)?
If this request is too wide, unclear or exceeds the cost limit, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the Act, you are required to advise and assist requesters.
I understand that you are required to respond to my request within the 20 working days after you receive this email. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing (by email is acceptable) that you have received this request.
I look forward to receiving your response.
Response detail:
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request. Please refer below for the information requested.
1. How many formal grievances have been raised with the service by female members of staff and female firefighters regarding complaints of harassment, inappropriate behaviour and assault?
2019 – 0
2020 - 1
2021 - 1
2022 - 1
2. How many claims have been submitted to employment tribunal regarding the above;
2019 – 0
2020 – 1
2021 – 0
2022 - 0
3. How many of those claims have settled prior to a full/remedy hearing;
All
4. What was the settlement figure in each claim?
The settlement figure in each claim is confidential and under Section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) is exempt from disclosure. The FOIA states:
‘Section 41 (1)-(1) Information is exempt information if —
(a) it was obtained by the public authority from any other person (including another public authority), and,
(b) the disclosure of the information to the public (otherwise than under this Act) by the public authority holding it would constitute a breach of confidence actionable by that or any other person.’
This is an absolute exemption and so there is no public interest test to be carried out under FOIA.
5. How many of those settlements involved the signing of a non-disclosure agreement?
All
6. How many grievance/discipline cases have been brought by the service in relation to inappropriate behaviour/conduct* by an employee (*sex discrimination, harassment)?
Cases are not brought by the Service, they are all investigated on the back of allegations made by employees.
