Equality Authority awards woman maximum compensation

The Equality Authority has for the first time awarded a woman the maximum amount of compensation of two years' salary in a sexual harassment and victimisation case.

The Authority found that the woman, who had been employed on a FÁS-sponsored Community Employment Scheme, was treated in a way that left her with no option but to resign.

Serious flaws were also found in the handling of the case, including a request that the victim stay off work instead of the harasser while the complaint was investigated.

Chief Executive of the Authority, Niall Crowley, says the failure of the employer to have proper procedures in place was a major factor in the ruling.