- Written by Joe Langstaff
- BBC Wales News
Image source, Getty Images
The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare said the public needed “reassurance”.
Two Welsh fire services are set to face independent reviews of their workplace culture after allegations of “bullying, sexual harassment and favouritism”.
Fire services in North Wales, Mid and West Wales said they would urgently appoint people to carry out the reviews.
Deputy Social Care Minister Hannah Blethyn said the public needed “reassurance”.
The Welsh Government took over the running of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service last month after a critical review.
The fire services are expected to publish the results of their investigations at the end of this year.
Ms Blethyn said she had arranged to meet with senior fire officers at both bodies following the report to the South Wales Fire Service.
In the report, published in January, Fenella Morris KC found widespread evidence of misconduct, workplace dysfunction and systemic management failings in the South Wales Fire Service.
It also concluded that the service tolerated sexual harassment and domestic violence.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said at the time that it welcomed the “scrutiny and guidance” the takeover would bring.
Roger Thomas, chief fire officer at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said he welcomed the review as an opportunity to “review how far we have come on our cultural journey”.
“The service has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of misogyny, racism, bullying or inappropriate behaviour.
“I want to show my appreciation for the continued hard work and dedication of our employees, as well as reassure the public that we will handle this process with integrity, honesty and transparency,” he said.
Don Dukes, chief fire officer at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said the review was “an opportunity for continued self-reflection and improvement”.
“This is a journey we started two years ago and we recognize the importance of external assurance, auditing and the challenge in our continued progress,” she said.
“We believe it is essential to seek external validation and input to ensure we remain on the right path.”
Ms Blethyn said in a statement that she had received “correspondence from current and former employees of both organisations, including allegations of bullying, sexual harassment and favoritism in promotion”.
“The public must be reassured about the culture and relevant management practices within our fire and rescue services, and must ensure that staff have safe and effective means of sharing their experiences – good and bad – within their organisation.” He said.
