Spanish au pair awarded €9,100 over sexual harassment by host family's husband

Workplace Relations Commission heard the husband had asked the au pair if she had any 'naughty pictures' on her phone, while his wife and young child were away on holiday and was also accused of touching her and rubbing the girl’s upper legs while she was sitting on a couch

The WRC heard the au pair was informed by the couple on September 13, 2020, after the husband had returned from a week’s holiday in Portugal, that she was dismissed and asked to leave the house straightaway. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

A married couple have been ordered to pay a former au pair €9,100 in compensation over a finding that the girl had suffered unwelcome sexual advances by the husband while his wife was away on holiday.

The Workplace Relations Commission ruled the 18-year-old Spanish girl had suffered harassment and sexual harassment and had been discriminated against under the Employment Equality Act 1998 on grounds of gender during her two months with the host family.