The Workplace Relations Commission found that an employee had been harassed and sexually harassed at work and awarded her €8,000 in compensation. The decision was dated 14 May 2018. The WRC also ordered Accountancy Solutions Company to develop and distribute a harassment code of practice covering all nine grounds under the Employment Equality Acts.
The employee said a senior colleague repeatedly took unwanted images of her, made sexual and racial comments and caused embarrassment at work. She raised concerns with management, and the colleague apologised. The employer said managers were trained and believed the informal response had resolved the issue.
The adjudicator found the allegations had not been denied and that the employee had established a case of harassment and sexual harassment amounting to discrimination in her conditions of employment. The employer had also breached its own grievance procedure by failing to document the informal process. The €8,000 award was for the distress and effects of the discriminatory treatment.