Courts / Waterford / Report
Bar worker awarded €30k after sexual harassment led to 'callous' firing by text
Summary
In a Waterford case, the Workplace Relations Commission found that a bar worker, Claire O'Neill, was dismissed by text after she raised concerns about sexual harassment by two patrons. The commission held that the pub owners failed to protect her from overt and hostile sexual harassment and that her dismissal was linked to her complaints. The adjudicating officer, Patsy Doyle, concluded that gender discrimination played a role and ordered the owners to pay €30,000 – €25,000 for discrimination and €5,000 for discriminatory dismissal. The case highlighted the lack of robust employment policies at the pub and the owners' failure to investigate the harassment allegations. The ruling emphasized that the owners' decision to terminate O'Neill's employment was careless and callous, and that the workers' conduct was not a mitigating factor in the decision. The decision was based on the evidence presented at the hearing and the commission's assessment of the circumstances. The ruling was made on 25 May.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Bar worker awarded €30k after sexual harassment led to 'callous' firing by text. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- Friday 18 May 2018 Incident
- 25 May Other
- 2022-02-10 Publication
Why: All the complaints were denied by the owners, who argue Ms O'Neill was sacked because of poor performance on the job during her probationary period. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- Paddy Brownes Road
Topics
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