Firefighter wins £40,000 unfair dismissal payout after colleague read her private diary

A firefighter who complained a male colleague she was romantically involved with snooped through her private diary has won a £40,000 pay out.

Kelly Rice began a romantic relationship with a senior colleague, who was also a mentor, at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service in April 2019.

A tribunal heard the man was caught reading her personal journal and Ms Rice also complained he searched through her bag at their station.

Bosses found that the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, ‘bullied and harassed’ Ms Rice.

He was given a final warning, a tribunal heard, which Ms Rice deemed not ‘adequate’ enough.

She refused to work in active duty and claimed the workplace ‘culture’ caused anxiety and depression.

The firefighter has now won her claims for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.

She has been awarded £42,853.73 after the tribunal ruled she was forced out of her job.

Ms Rice was subjected to disciplinary proceedings despite still dealing with ‘trauma’ and harshly refused the chance to work in non-active roles, the tribunal heard.

It was found that the treatment by Gloucestershire County Council, which oversees the fire service, ‘exacerbated’ the harassment the firefighter received from her ex-boyfriend.

Ms Rice began working in active duty at Stroud Fire Station in Gloucestershire in January 2019 when another firefighter, known only as ‘KS’, became her mentor.

The pair had begun a romantic relationship by April 2019 – but by summer and autumn of the same year, their relationship was troubled.

Ms Rice had concerns about the man which she relayed to the Watch Manager, Richard Basham, the tribunal heard.

She exchanged messages with Mr Basham in January 2020 about her senior colleague.

On March 2, 2020 Ms Rice alleged that the man had snooped through her bag and read her private journal – and on the same day she ended the relationship.

The senior firefighter was given a final written warning and it was found he had bullied and harassed Ms Rice with a series of text messages, causing her to lodge a grievance.

The tribunal heard: ‘She asserted that [she] did not believe that the investigation was fair or accurate.

‘[Ms Rice said] there was further evidence that she… could provide.

‘[Ms Rice said] the sanction was inadequate and demonstrated in [her] view that the [fire service] regarded the behavior as acceptable.’

Ms Rice was told she couldn’t affect the disciplining of another firefighter.

She took a break from active duty due to stress and accepted a temporary role at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s HQ.

Ms Rice said this improved her mental health.

But she was ordered to return to her original role and told that she must retire and reapply to continue working in a non-operational capacity despite her doctor’s occupational health advice that a return to active service might cause a relapse in her mental health.

Dr Galey, who provided the advice, said: ‘She feels that justice has not been served by the outcome and that returning to active firefighting duties because of her perceptions would simply result in further issues with her mood and anxiety.’

Ms Rice went off sick from active duty in May 2021 due to the stress of negotiating with bosses, citing her experience of ‘coercive control’ and the ‘complex post-traumatic stress disorder’ she suffered as a result.

She worked other jobs while off sick – which she had permission to do – but was given a final written warning.

Disciplinary proceedings started against her again in 2022 when she failed to attend meetings and comply with a return-to-work scheme.

She resigned in August 2022 after she appealed but these appeals were dismissed.

‘The behaviors I received have resulted in my having to seek support from counsellors, therapists and doctors and I’m undergoing hypnotherapy to cope with the emotional trauma,’ Ms Rice told the tribunal.

‘I have found it difficult to concentrate both in my work and personal life due to the situation causing stressful thoughts and memories and the duration of the ordeal.

‘This has at times affected my ability to perform even the simplest tasks.

‘I have lost my sense of self-worth and the confidence I once had in my abilities has been shattered.

‘This has not only impacted my career progression but has also strained my relationships with family and friends.’

She won claims of constructive unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, discrimination and the failure to make reasonable adjustments because the council had not accommodated her mental illness.

Her claims of constructive dismissal regarding the male colleague were not upheld.

Employment Judge Paul Cadney said she was mistreated due to ‘firstly the requirement to attend for operational duties; secondly in commencing and upholding disciplinary action for her failure to do so, and thirdly in the dismissal of the appeal’.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We have received notification of the outcome of an Employment Tribunal heard in July 2025 in Bristol. 

‘It is deeply regrettable when any employee leaves our Service, and particularly in relation to the individual involved in this case.

‘We are committed to learning from this experience. A full debrief will be undertaken to review the management of this complex case and to identify improvements in how we handle grievance and competency matters going forward.

‘As part of our ongoing commitment to high standards and accountability, we have already taken steps to strengthen our processes by establishing a Professional Standards Unit, which provides greater oversight and consistency in managing such cases.’

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