Worker victimised by employer after harassment complaint

A worker at a multinational retailer in a Dublin shopping centre, who claimed she was victimised after she complained that a security guard massaged her buttocks, has been awarded €33,000 by the Equality Tribunal.

The complainant claimed that, in November 2010, she went to the storeroom, and passed the security guard, who was looking at CCTV footage. In her evidence to the tribunal, she said he followed her to the storeroom and started feeling her buttocks. She said she said to him: “Are you trying to feel me?” and he said: “Do you mind?” She shouted at him: “What do you think? Get out of here.”

The complainant, given the name Ms C, said she felt physically intimidated, as the security guard, Mr X, was younger, bigger, and heavier than her. She said he was visibly excited by what occurred.