This is always a difficult area and I am not sure that it is possible
to set guidance at a policy level - each case has to be judged on its
merits.
Subject to that FOI is not usually a problem. Unless the matter is
already public knowledge it is usually a simple refusal to confirm or
deny anything relating to staff discipline.
Vis-a-vis the complainant you then have to make a value judgement, often
under Condition 6. What is the extent of the legitimate interest of the
complainant having regard to your customer service standards and what
prejudice to the staff member. And if it was a personal interaction
there may also be personal data of the complainant which requires a
similar balancing exercise under s7(4) DPA.
It is not unusual for us to send two replies to a complainant who asks
for e.g. ""...the report, documenting exactly what was undertaken to
ensure that this was investigated thoroughly..."":
1. Answering the complaint as fully as we feel necessary taking into
account the knowledge of the complainant
2. Under FOI refusing to confirm or deny that it holds the information
requested
Phillip Bradshaw
Information Manager
Clerk to the Council
Room CY4A, County Hall
EMail: [log in to unmask]
Phone: 029 2087 3346
Mobile : 07890 265987
Fax: 029 2087 3349
Mae Cyhoeddi Cynnar yn Codi Canfod Cadarnhaol
Proactive Publishing Promotes Positive Perceptions
-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dominic Newton
Sent: 16 October 2009 09:53
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [data-protection] Complaints outcomes
Hi everyone
bit of a strange one. It is not currently our policy to release the
specific outcomes of service user complaints (for example that a staff
member will be disciplined or fired) to the complainant. We merely say
that appropriate management action will be taken.
We've recently had a demand from a service user to know the outcome, and
in the interests of transparency it's an area we need to look at -
though note that we are not covered by FOIA.
Is there a suficient legitimate interest to release the outcome of the
complaint to the complainant even though it is strictly personal data
relating only to the employee (taking into account detriment and risk),
or would we only be able to release the info under the non-disclosure
exemptions... or with consent of the staff member?
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