The Workplace Relations Commission found that Kathleen Ryan was sexually harassed at work and penalised after raising complaints, awarding her €64,584 and €25,000 respectively. The decision was dated 14 November 2022.
Ryan worked as a technical instructor for Socrates Workforce Solutions Ltd. She said a male colleague sexually harassed her and raised concerns about how the company handled her complaint and her safety. The company said it investigated, disciplined the colleague and offered Ryan options for returning to work.
The WRC found the company’s investigation was flawed and that it failed to investigate later threats and harassment. It held the company responsible for the harassment because it had not taken all reasonably practicable steps to prevent it. It also found Ryan was penalised, noting that she remained on unpaid sick leave while the colleague continued working and that proposed alternative roles included working with him still in place.
The WRC made no separate finding on two further complaints, in view of its findings on the harassment and penalisation complaints.