2019-07-12
The complainant worked as an administration assistant with the respondent infrastructure company. She alleged her manager sexually harassed her, including by making sexual advances by text message, commenting on her breasts, inviting her to a hotel and offering to go to her place and give her a massage. She said that she complained to her manager’s supervisor about the conduct. She claimed the manager’s supervisor told her there was insufficient evidence for any action to be taken and recommended she delete the telephone messages.
On being advised of the complaint, the company agreed to participate in conciliation.
The complaint was resolved. The parties agreed to end the employment relationship. The company agreed to pay the complainant $40,000 as general damages and provide her with a reference. The complainant’s former manager apologised to her for the distress she experienced as a result of the events giving rise to the complaint. The company undertook to commission training for all staff on sexual harassment, workplace discrimination, the company’s complaint process and the obligations of staff and managers.
Year
Discrimination type
Sex Discrimination Act
Grounds
Sex
Sexual harassment
Areas
Employment
Compensation
Reference (individual)
Anti-discrimination/EEO training reviewed/revised
Amount
$40,000