Former Avon Fire and Rescue worker wins sex discrimination case

A female firefighter who won a sex discrimination case against her former employer says doing the job she loved was like "death by a thousand cuts".

Sasha Acheson accused Avon Fire and Rescue Service of sex discrimination, harassment and unfair dismissal.

She outlined alleged systemic failings to protect women in employment at a tribunal in Bristol.

Avon Fire and Rescue said it was "deeply regrettable" she experienced "inappropriate behaviour" at work.

Ms Acheson said at the height of everything she "wanted to walk away from all of it."

"It was like death by a thousand cuts, I was chipped-away at," she said.

"By the end of it I was broken and felt completely insane.

"Out of this whole process what's been most harrowing for me is all of the stats that came out.

"There are only 46 women in Avon out of a 600 operational workforce - a minimum of 18 of which have left in the last five years, that's harrowing."

She said she left a successful sports career playing rugby for England to become a firefighter.

"I've lost my career as a firefighter but if this gives somebody the courage to say, 'this isn't how I should be treated', then that means it wasn't for nothing," she added.

She said she was happy the truth was now "out there".

The employment tribunal upheld claims of direct sex discrimination against Avon Fire and Rescue.

The tribunal also upheld claims of constructive dismissal as well as harassment on the grounds of sex, and harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Up to 10 witnesses including current and ex-employees of Avon Fire and Rescue Service took the stand in support of Ms Acheson's claim.

During the hearing, witnesses gave evidence relating to the mismanagement of concerns in relation to discriminatory conduct of male firefighters.

Concerns raised by Ms Acheson and other whistle-blowers that women were not safe were mismanaged, the tribunal heard.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer Simon Shilton said no one should have to come to work and feel mistreated within the workplace.

"I would like to reassure our communities, and our staff, I have never been so resolute in ensuring any poor behaviours that are not in line with our values are appropriately addressed," he said.

"We have a zero-tolerance approach to poor behaviour, underpinned by a dignity and respect policy.

"There is always more to be done to tackle and improve the culture.

"While we cannot fix the past, we are focused on improving current staff experiences and ensuring a supportive and inclusive organisation where our staff can thrive, and we maintain the public's confidence in us as a service."

He said the individual in question no longer worked for the service.

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