We have responded to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) proposed fire and rescue service inspection framework and programme 2025-2027.
We are currently undertaking a sustained programme of work to prevent and address race and sex discrimination in fire services, police and armed forces. This was set up in response to several highly critical independent reports highlighting harassment and victimisation of primarily female and ethnic minority officers.
Our response recommends that the framework should assess:
-
How well Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) ensure that Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) advance equality of opportunity for all staff and prevent and tackle discrimination, harassment and victimisation
-
If FRSs collect the necessary data to evaluate whether groups within the workforce experience workplace harassment (as defined by Equality Act 2010) or barriers to progression
-
If, and how well, FRSs implement measures to further equality of opportunity and tackle and prevent workplace discrimination, harassment and victimisation
-
How FRSs implement the forthcoming duty for employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
The above information is from News from the Equality and Human Rights Commission Equality Law News Newsletter Tue 05/11/2024