The Labour Court rejected Ilena Cappello’s appeal against findings that Parfums Chanel Ltd and Chanel Ltd did not discriminate against or harass her, or victimise her. The determination was dated 3 November 2014.
Cappello alleged discrimination on gender, family-status and marital-status grounds, harassment and victimisation. She challenged a manager’s questions after disclosing her pregnancy, including whether it was planned. The manager denied asking whether Cappello would keep the baby.
The Court found no evidence of discrimination on the three grounds and accepted the manager’s explanation that she was trying to understand Cappello’s plans for returning to work. It found that the conversation did not compromise her employment. The Court also found that the employers acted reasonably to investigate Cappello’s grievance, but that the process was delayed because she was unable to participate or would not do so without legal representation. It found no victimisation and did not allow the appeal.