Overview
- Employment Judge Richard Woodhead concluded Bailey was not unfairly dismissed after he resigned following disciplinary proceedings.
- Bailey received a 12-month final written warning in June 2023 for failing to challenge inappropriate, stereotypical and demeaning comments by his team, though he was not demoted.
- The judge said occasional use of the term “fireman” was not, by itself, a serious matter, but found there was evidence of broader jokes and remarks that stereotyped women.
- Bailey acknowledged the term “fireman” was used “quite commonly” on his watch and admitted he did not formally challenge colleagues who used it.
- The case stemmed from a 2021 complaint by firefighter Sasha Acheson, who separately won more than £52,000 after a tribunal upheld her claims of sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation.