The Labour Court upheld a sexual harassment discrimination finding against a company and increased compensation to €19,046.07. Its determination was signed on 13 November 2001.
The worker said she had faced verbal harassment over several years, had been assigned work suited to junior staff and was victimised after complaining. The company denied discrimination. The Equality Officer had found discrimination on the harassment complaint, while the claims under sections 2(b) and 2(d) failed and the worker withdrew the section 2(c) claim. Both sides appealed.
The Court rejected the company’s appeal and upheld the finding that it had discriminated through verbal sexual harassment. It found the worker’s witnesses more credible and said no meaningful investigation followed complaints in 1995 and 1997. The Court also allowed the worker’s appeal, finding the earlier €5,078.95 award inadequate, and awarded €19,046.07 for distress. It recommended that the company help her apply for income continuance.