Resolved complaint (78) about sex and sexual orientation discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation in employment

About the complaint

The complainant identifies as lesbian and was employed with the respondent electrical infrastructure business as an apprentice electrician. She alleged that two colleagues referred to her as ‘lesbo', ‘pole cat', ‘dick tease' and ‘a waste of a good mouth' with reference to her sexual orientation. She also alleged the same colleagues touched and leaned against her and another colleague referred to her as a ‘f****ing slut' behind her back. She alleged that her colleagues isolated her after she made a complaint about the alleged conduct and she was told male colleagues were making comments of a sexual nature about her. The complainant said she felt she had no option but to resign.

The respondents denied the allegations but agreed to participate in conciliation to try to resolve the complaint.

The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the respondents pay the complainant $80,000.

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This is a summary of a selected complaint that has been resolved through our conciliation process. It's designed to help people better understand how complaints might be resolved and what outcomes are possible.

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Please note:

• all complaints are de-identified
• complaints are resolved on a 'without admission of liability' basis
• some content may include confronting or offensive language.