A former part-time employee of Asba Meats was awarded more than €40,000 for sexual harassment and employment rights breaches by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
The worker, who is not named the decision published by the WRC, said that she worked for Asba Meats as a trimmer from June 2023 to July 2024. In her submission to the WRC she said that on the evening of May 2024 she was contacted by the director of Asba Meats who asked for a meeting.
She submitted that she believed the meeting was about a job opportunity and agreed to meet the director at her home. She submitted that the conversation initially revolved around her career in Ireland and her employment permit.
Head massage
However, the discussion shifted when the director requested a head massage.
After the director left the complainants' address, she messaged him on WhatsApp to get clarity on the intention of his visit. The director confirmed that he "needed someone to give me a head massage from time to time when I get very stressed and a company".
The adjudicating officer for the WRC noted that the complainant became very distressed during the hearing when outlining this part of her complaint against Asba Meats.
The complainant submitted that on 25 June 2024, Asba Meats was subjected to a Revenue and immigration inspection. The following day she was told to take a few days off when she inquired about when she could return to work.
On 18 July 2024 she was informed that her employment had been terminated in a text message stating: "You are fired because we don’t have work, we don’t have hours for you and we are not able to pay for that much workers”.
Ruling
Asba Meats was not represented at the WRC hearing into the worker's complaints.
The WRC found in the complainants favour on three counts. For unfair dismissal, she was awarded €6,540. For less favourable treatment as a part-time employee than other full-time employees she was awarded €8,500. For the claim of sexual harassment, she was awarded €25,000, making a total award of €40,040.
The WRC further ordered Asba Meats to develop a workplace anti-harassment and sexual harassment policy, a workplace anti-bullying policy and to ensure that those policies are verifiably communicated to and understood by, all employees.
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A former part-time employee of Asba Meats was awarded more than €40,000 for sexual harassment and employment rights breaches by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
The worker, who is not named the decision published by the WRC, said that she worked for Asba Meats as a trimmer from June 2023 to July 2024. In her submission to the WRC she said that on the evening of May 2024 she was contacted by the director of Asba Meats who asked for a meeting.
She submitted that she believed the meeting was about a job opportunity and agreed to meet the director at her home. She submitted that the conversation initially revolved around her career in Ireland and her employment permit.
Head massage
However, the discussion shifted when the director requested a head massage.
After the director left the complainants' address, she messaged him on WhatsApp to get clarity on the intention of his visit. The director confirmed that he "needed someone to give me a head massage from time to time when I get very stressed and a company".
The adjudicating officer for the WRC noted that the complainant became very distressed during the hearing when outlining this part of her complaint against Asba Meats.
The complainant submitted that on 25 June 2024, Asba Meats was subjected to a Revenue and immigration inspection. The following day she was told to take a few days off when she inquired about when she could return to work.
On 18 July 2024 she was informed that her employment had been terminated in a text message stating: "You are fired because we don’t have work, we don’t have hours for you and we are not able to pay for that much workers”.
Ruling
Asba Meats was not represented at the WRC hearing into the worker's complaints.
The WRC found in the complainants favour on three counts. For unfair dismissal, she was awarded €6,540. For less favourable treatment as a part-time employee than other full-time employees she was awarded €8,500. For the claim of sexual harassment, she was awarded €25,000, making a total award of €40,040.
The WRC further ordered Asba Meats to develop a workplace anti-harassment and sexual harassment policy, a workplace anti-bullying policy and to ensure that those policies are verifiably communicated to and understood by, all employees.
Read more
Asba Meats fined €20,000 for discrimination against pregnant worker
Asba Meats makes partial payment to one creditor
Over €575,000 owed to farmers by Asba Meats
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