The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has ordered An Post to pay Catherine Kelly €53,560 after finding she succeeded in her sexual harassment complaint. The decision was dated 4 September 2023.
Kelly said a co-worker touched her thigh at work and that An Post failed to handle her complaint properly. An Post said it investigated the allegation but found insufficient evidence to uphold it.
The adjudicator found serious deficiencies in the initial and appeal investigations, including inadequate interviews and the initial investigator taking part in the appeal. Because of those failures, An Post could not rely on the legal defence that it had taken reasonably practicable steps to prevent harassment.
The WRC awarded the maximum of two years’ remuneration, citing the poor handling of the complaint and its effects on Kelly. It also directed An Post to train supervisory and management staff on its Dignity at Work policy and keep records of the training.