Eatery to pay €15k to harassed gay women

A Cork outlet of fast-food chain Eddie Rocket’s has been ordered to pay €15,000 compensation to two lesbian members of staff who quit work after just two weeks in the job.

The Equality Tribunal ruled that the two women, waitress Laura Mezei from Hungary and kitchen porter Melanda Magyar from Slovakia, were subjected to harassment and sexual harassment by the restaurant on grounds of gender and sexual orientation.

The couple had begun work at Eddie Rocket’s in Blackpool in late May 2008 but both left in the first week of June after experiencing obscene comments by other work colleagues.

The Equality Tribunal ruled the restaurant had not taken reasonable steps to prevent employees from sexually harassing other members of staff who were either women or homosexuals.

As the complainants walked past one worker he would say: “Whoa, whoa, are you really lesbians I can’t believe it” or “Are you really a couple” or “Maybe you are lesbians because you have not found the right man in your lives”.

Another worker asked one of the complainants if they had a bath together and could he join in; did they use vibrators; who was the man in their relationship; and how did they do “it”. The co-workers continued to question them about their relationship in spite of the complainant asking them to stop.

“It is a duty on employers under the Acts to provide a workplace in which it is safe for lesbians and gay men to be open about their sexuality,” said the tribunal.

It rejected the women’s claim of discrimination on grounds of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, and race in relation to access to employment, promotion, training and work conditions.

The tribunal awarded both women €7,500 each.