A worker has settled her claims of sexual harassment and victimisation against her former employer Tesco for £45,000.
Lara Storey, a former part-time Dotcom Personal Shopper, claimed that she had been subjected to sexual harassment by a colleague which included physical touching.
She said raised a grievance with her employer which was upheld. However, despite this, she said the colleague she had complained about remained in post.
Ms Storey said she had been reassured that the person in question would be retrained or relocated to another department or store.
She said she believed this decision was in breach of her employer’s equal opportunities policy and disciplinary code of conduct and that it failed to provide her with a safe and secure working environment.
A complaint was lodged at the Office of the Industrial Tribunal, but Ms Storey contended that after doing this, she felt that she was then victimised and treated unfairly by more senior staff. Ms Storey eventually resigned from her Tesco.
She was supported by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in taking the case which was settled without admission of liability.
Ms Storey said she felt she had to challenge what happened.
“I wish none of this had ever happened,” she said.
“I was a student working my way through university. I didn’t ask for any of this. I had to challenge it and I’m glad I did.
“I want other women to know that they don’t have to accept this type of behaviour or treatment, and they should expect to be treated fairly by their employer.”
Geraldine McGahey, chief commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, said everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect at work.
“Our sex discrimination laws are almost 50 years old, and unfortunately, they are needed as much today as they did when they were first introduced,” she said.
“Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect at work.
“Employers must ensure that, where their employees fail to live up to that standard, action is taken to deal with it effectively and that employees are dealt with or supported appropriately.
“It is imperative therefore that employers have policies and procedures in place to manage these situations effectively and that their managers are trained to use them.”
The Equality Commission said that in settling the cases, the company reaffirmed its commitment to equality of opportunity and regrets how the events that led to these claims made Ms Storey feel and will improve processes going forward.
They said Tesco has also agreed to liaise with the Equality Commission to review its policies, practices and procedures on harassment.