A HERO firefighter quit after being disciplined for failing to stop his staff saying “fireman”, a tribunal heard.
Simon Bailey, 58, who had been commended for bravery, was given a final written warning and downgraded following use of the “sexist” term.
GettyThe investigation came as a result of female firefighter and former England rugby player Sasha Acheson[/caption]
SuppliedHero firefighter Simon Bailey was disciplined for failing to stop his staff saying ‘fireman’, a tribunal heard[/caption]
He went off sick then resigned after his “world came crashing down”.
He told The Sun: “When I received the disciplinary letter, I felt physically sick and devastated. I became a shell of myself.
“This is not how I wanted my 27 years of service to end. I don’t tend to tell people I used to be a firefighter as I almost feel embarrassed because of the way I was treated.
“I have a letter of commendation from the chief, congratulating me on my service, but it’s just left in a drawer now.”
He has taken Avon Fire and Rescue Service to an employment tribunal for constructive dismissal.
At the Bristol hearing, his barrister Adam Griffiths challenged assistant fire chief Luke Gazzard, who led the disciplinary probe, on the use of the word “fireman”.
Mr Griffiths said: “If you hold someone up to that standard, there would obviously be a missive or directive saying ‘this word that we have been using for the last 150 years must stop’.”
The disciplinary investigation came as a result of female firefighter and former England rugby player Sasha Acheson making a claim against the same station for sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation.
A crew manager was found to have made offensive comments to Ms Acheson — and she is set to win more than £50,000 in compensation in a separate case.
Barrister Emma Sole, representing Avon Fire and Rescue Service, argued watch manager Mr Bailey, their boss, did not respond to a “serious grievance”.
The tribunal will decide on Mr Bailey’s claim at a later date.
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