Resolved complaint (116) about sexual harassment in employment

About the complaint

The complainant was employed on a casual basis as a coach at the respondent gym. She alleged a colleague repeatedly touched her on the chest despite multiple requests not to do so. She claimed that when she reported this to her manager, she was told “he can't help it, he doesn't understand boundaries”. She claimed her shifts were reduced after her complaint and she was required to work with her colleague on her own despite advising her manager this made her feel uncomfortable. She said her manager ultimately hired someone else to cover her shifts.

On being notified of the complaint, the respondents indicated a willingness to try to resolve the complaint by conciliation.

The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the respondents pay the complainant $12,500 and notify her once they had undertaken training on sexual harassment. The respondents also apologised to the complainant.

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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
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