2018-05-07
The complainant was employed as a seasonal factory hand with the respondent beverage company. She alleged that a colleague sexually harassed her, including by looking at her body in a way that made her feel uncomfortable, saying that she had a beautiful name and making kissing noises towards her. The complainant said she sent the company an email making a complaint about the alleged conduct but received no response. She said there was no female staff member to whom she could report the conduct.
The company claimed it was not informed of the alleged conduct until being notified of the complaint to the Commission. The company advised that, in response to the complaint, management met with staff to discuss sexual harassment and steps were being taken to ensure complaints of sexual harassment are appropriately responded to.
The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the company make a $4,000 donation to a charity assisting women, apologise to the complainant for her experience and update its induction pack to include information about the internal complaint process in cases of alleged sexual harassment.
Year
Discrimination type
Sex Discrimination Act
Grounds
Sex
Sexual harassment
Areas
Employment
Apology
Donation to charity
Anti-discrimination/EEO policy reviewed/revised
Policy change/Change in practice (internal staff)
Amount
$4,000