The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Sharanjeet Kaur €60,000 after finding that Bombay Bhappa Limited t/a Bombay House discriminated against and harassed her, including sexually, at work. The decision was dated 19 March 2024.
The WRC heard that Kaur worked long hours for little pay and was dismissed without a procedure. Her evidence of repeated sexual comments, unwanted touching and threats was uncontested after the company and its representative left the hearing. Adjudication Officer Elizabeth Spelman found gender discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment, and awarded the maximum two years’ remuneration under equality law.
The WRC also upheld complaints concerning Sunday work, breaks, public holidays, annual leave, excessive hours, unfair dismissal, minimum notice and minimum pay. It awarded €30,000 for unfair dismissal, €10,000 each for breaks, annual leave and excessive hours, and €7,248 in minimum-wage arrears. A pay complaint was partly upheld: Kaur was awarded €7,540 net for unlawful deductions after saying she had to return €290 from weekly bank payments. The WRC lacked jurisdiction to consider her separate work-permit reimbursement claim.