Dear Ms Gray,

Freedom of Information request internal review - bullying and harassment statistics

Further to your email of 12 January requesting an internal review of the Council's response to your Freedom of Information request for bullying and harassment statistics, please find below my response.

I understand that statistics on the number of cases where an employee claimed constructive dismissal arising from a bullying and harassment complaint over the period in question have been provided. I also understand that statistics on the number of all claims (for the period in question) that have mentioned bullying and harassment have not been provided on the basis that to collate this information would require a manual review of 195 claims for the period in question and would therefore exceed the Freedom of Information cost ceiling.

In your internal review request you state that the Act requires Lambeth Council to spend up to £450 (worth of time) without question. However, I should advise that neither the Act or the Fee Regulations that sit under it require the Council to spend up to £450 of time without question (i.e. undertake 18 hours work), where the request for information can not be responded to in full.

On the basis that the work involved to compile the information you have requested would take more than 18 hours work, I am upholding the original decision to refuse your request on the grounds that provision of the information you have requested would exceed the Freedom of Information cost ceiling and is therefore exempt under section 12 of the Act.

If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of this review you have a further right to appeal to the Information Commissioner, who regulates the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. The Commissioner can be contacted at the following address:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Enquiry line: 01625 545745

Yours sincerely

Ian Goodwin

Information Compliance Advisor

Direct Line: 020 79262341

Email: [email address]

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London Borough of Lambeth

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