The Workplace Relations Commission ordered a contact centre company to pay a technical support agent €35,000 for harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and discriminatory constructive dismissal, and €10,000 for victimisation. The WRC decision was dated 31 May 2018.
The agent said her team leader subjected her to unwanted conduct and that the company failed to protect her after she complained. The company denied the claims, saying it investigated the allegations and gave her an opportunity to appeal. The adjudication officer found serious shortcomings in the investigation and the company’s response, including its failure to separate the two employees after five allegations were upheld internally.
The officer also found that the agent was reprimanded over absences linked to the harassment and that a Facebook message used to intimidate her had been manufactured by the team leader. The WRC ordered the company to train staff with management duties in its dignity and respect policy and keep the training under review.