Date of Request
10/04/2025
Request
Dear Fire and Rescue Team,
I am writing to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
For the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025:
How many Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), also referred to as confidentiality clauses were signed with staff (current or former) by your organisation?
Of those NDAs, how many were part of settlement agreements related to:
a) Complaints of bullying or harassment
b) Complaints of discrimination (on any protected characteristic)
c) Whistleblowing
d) Other reasons (please specify if possible)
What was the total amount of money paid out in settlement agreements that contained NDAs?
What is the highest individual settlement amount paid in this period as part of a settlement agreement that contained an NDA?
Please include any available breakdowns by department, staff role, or type of claim where possible.
If it is not possible to provide all of the information requested, please provide as much as you are able to within the appropriate cost and time limits.
Response
Hi
We thank you for your request for information, which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000
The Service can confirm that the information that you have requested is partially disclosed and partially withheld as below:
How many Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), also referred to as confidentiality clauses were signed with staff (current or former) by your organisation? One
Of those NDAs, how many were part of settlement agreements related to:
a) Complaints of bullying or harassment None
b) Complaints of discrimination (on any protected characteristic) One
c) Whistleblowing None
d) Other reasons (please specify if possible) N/A
What was the total amount of money paid out in settlement agreements that contained NDAs?
What is the highest individual settlement amount paid in this period as part of a settlement agreement that contained an NDA?
This information is withheld under s40 of FOIA as the Service considers that information concerning individuals could potentially be identified and that such identification would constitute a breach of the fairness principle set out under the Data Protection Act 2018.
If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance and Committee Services on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk. In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see Subject).
Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk.
Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk
Thank you for your request for information.
Kind regards,
Information Governance Team