Internal Complaints of Racism and Sexism

Ref: FOI22074   

RE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST  

I am writing to confirm that the West Midlands Fire Service has now completed its search for the information you requested further to your freedom of information request.  

Please find below a summary of our findings.  

Request 

How many complaints have been made by female members of staff about other staff members across the whole of the organization in the calendar years 2020, 2021, and 1st January until 1st July 2022. Which relate to 
A. Sexism 
B. Sexual Harassment 
C Racism 

Reply 

2020 less than 5 

2021 less than 5 

2022 to 1^st July – 0 

Due to the relatively small number of complaints within the years that you have requested in order to protect the identity of the data subjects we are unable to supply exact numbers and further information concerning the complaints. 

Further detail about individual complaints are classed as personal data and therefore attracts a Section 40(2) exemption under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Disclosure of the information may cause damage and distress to the individuals involved so would therefore be unfair to disclose it and contravene principle 1 of the Data Protection Act 1998. 

Request 

Please provide 10 examples in each year of the words and phrases used which were. 
1. Racist 
2. Sexist 
Please take the examples in date order. 

Reply 

In this case disclosure of specific examples in each year of the words and phrases used which were either racist or sexist, may lead to an individual being identified. The provision of more information may enable you to be able to identify the individual by virtue of other data that you may hold or other data that may come into your possession. When information is disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, it is treated as ‘applicant blind’ and is deemed to be suitable to be given to any requester. Therefore if you do not hold additional information to identify the claimant, it cannot be assumed that further information does not exist in the public domain. Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is absolute in its nature and supports this decision therefore this does not require a public interest test 

If you have any queries about this Freedom of Information request, please contact us. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.  

For service complaints, issues or comments regarding this request please contact The Public Relations Department, West Midlands Fire Service, 99 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham, B7 4HW  

Further information concerning Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Information Commissioner website at either the following link: https://ico.org.uk/ or at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF.