Investigations of bullying behaviour related to malicious rumours or defamatory comments

Ref: FOI/23047

RE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST  

West Midlands Fire Service has now completed its search for the information requested on 3^rd April 2032

Please find below a summary of our findings.

Request.

• The outcomes and awards for any bullying behaviour related to malicious rumours or defamatory comments within the West Midlands Fire service organisation from the dates, January 2013 up to and including the current date of the 3rd of April 2023.
• The outcomes for any bullying and behaviour related to malicious rumours or defamatory comments that have led to tribunal or settlement action involving the West Midlands Fireservice from the dates, January 2013 up to and including the current date of the 3rd of April 2023.
• The outcomes for any bullying and behaviour related to malicious rumours or defamatory comments that began as a misconduct investigation and were escalated to a gross misconduct investigation Within the West Midlands Fireservice from the dates, January 2013 up to and including the current date of the 3rd of April 2023.

Reply

We only have figures from 2018 onwards. Please see below

2018 - No cases recorded of Bullying behaviour that was related to rumours or defamatory comments

2019 - 2 cases of Gross Misconduct related to defamatory comments but not rumours. Both awarded 18 month Final written warnings, did not go to an Employment Tribunal.

2020 - 1 case of Gross Misconduct involving 9 employees. Defamatory comments were part of but did not make up the whole case as there were other elements. 5 were summary dismissed, 2 had 18 month final written warnings, 1 had a 6 month warning and one was no case to answer as it was proved that they didn't participate with the group. 5 who were dismissed took us to an Employment Tribunal but their claims were dismissed by the tribunal panel.

2021 - No cases recorded of Bullying behaviour that was related to rumours or defamatory comments

2022 - No cases recorded of Bullying behaviour that was related to rumours or defamatory comments

2023 - 1 Gross Misconduct case of bullying behaviour related to rumours and defamatory comments case is currently ongoing from January with no outcome yet.

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

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