Date of Request
01/10/24
Request
I would like to request the following details over the past 3 years prior to receipt of this letter in relation to fire fighters to whom the Grey Book applied and where their sickness went beyond 6 months. Please provide the following :
- The number of relevant firefighters;
Out of those firefighters, please identify each case whilst identifying the following information for the firefighter.
- Their sex
- Their rank
- The reason or circumstance for their absence
- Whether they had a mental or physical impairment
- Whether they had raised a grievance or employment tribunal.
- Whether their pay was extended
- Out of those who received extended pay please confirm who received it immediately, who received it by way of discretion, who received it following challenge or appeal?
- Out of those who did not receive extended pay how many challenged and on what grounds?
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 held and is as detailed below:
Since September 2021, there have been 27 grey book members of staff whose sickness went beyond 6 months.
- Their sex
27 grey book employees: 21 males, 6 females
- Their rank
5 Watch Commanders, 6 Crew Commanders, 16 Firefighters
- The reason or circumstance for their absence
Musculo Skeletal 8
Covid-19 2
Mental Health 11
Heart/Cardiac and Circulatory 1
Cancer 3
Headache/Migraine/Neurological 2
- Whether they had a mental or physical impairment
Mental 11
Physical 16
- Whether they had raised a grievance or employment tribunal.
Only one of the employees raised a grievance about their pay – their pay was not extended. Currently at appeal stage.
- Whether their pay was extended
2 employees received extended pay due to terminal illness.
- Out of those who received extended pay please confirm who received it immediately, who received it by way of discretion, who received it following challenge or appeal?
Payment was received immediately.
- Out of those who did not receive extended pay how many challenged and on what grounds?
1 employee challenged citing discrimination.
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