Resolved complaint (232) about victimisation in employment
Learn how a complaint (232) about victimisation in employment was resolved through conciliation.
Summary
- Year: 2025
- Relevant Act: Sex Discrimination Act
- Grounds: Sex; Sexual harassment; Victimisation
- Area(s): Employment
- Settlement terms:
- Compensation
- Settlement amount: $80,000
About the complaint
The complainant worked in a senior role with the respondent construction company. She alleged a colleague sexually harassed her at a work Christmas party, including by licking her breasts, shaking her, and commenting on her appearance. She said that when she approached a nearby senior manager, he told her she could leave if she did not like her colleague’s behaviour. She alleged that, after she made a formal complaint about the behaviour, most senior managers stopped talking to her and did not offer her work at her level. She said she felt she had no option but to resign.
The company denied the allegations and indicated a willingness to participate in conciliation to try to resolve the complaint.
The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the company pay the complainant $80,000.
Guidance on the use of these summaries
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.
These summaries are for general guidance only and are not legal advice. If you need advice about your situation, you should seek independent legal support.
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.
