A university student who lost her job as a victim of gender discrimination has been awarded £200,000 compensation by the Equality Commission.
The woman was subjected to a hostile work environment at a department store in 2012, the Commission said.
A letter sent by the Commission’s Equality and Human Rights Commissioner, Karen Gaughan, to a business in 2014, quoted a case from 2014 where the woman lost her position as a sales representative after she complained to the retailer about a sexist and demeaning work environment.
She was eventually offered a role as a customer care assistant and the company subsequently paid her £300,000.
However, the commission has found that the company had failed to act on its promise to investigate complaints about the woman and that the complaint was not taken seriously enough.
Ms Gaughin said she would appeal against the decision to the European Court of Human Rights.
We believe this case is important for all women, regardless of gender or ethnic background, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Commission to ensure all female employees have equal opportunities.” “
We have now moved forward with the case to the ECHR in the hope that this outcome will encourage other businesses to consider women in leadership roles and to ensure that female employees are treated fairly.”
We believe this case is important for all women, regardless of gender or ethnic background, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Commission to ensure all female employees have equal opportunities.
“More to come.
