A former Tesco worker, Lara Storey, has settled her claims of sexual harassment and victimization against her former employer for £45,000. She was a part-time Dotcom Personal Shopper who alleged that she experienced sexual harassment from a colleague, including physical touching. Lara raised a grievance, which was upheld, but the colleague remained in their position. Despite reassurances that the colleague would be retrained or relocated, Lara felt that her employer’s equal opportunities policy and disciplinary code were violated, leaving her without a safe working environment.
Lara filed a complaint with the Office of the Industrial Tribunal but felt victimized and unfairly treated by senior staff afterward. Eventually, she resigned from her job with Tesco. With the support of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, she pursued the case, which was settled without admission of liability. Lara emphasized the importance of standing up against such behavior and encouraged other women to expect fair treatment from their employers.
Geraldine McGahey, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission, highlighted the necessity of treating employees with dignity and respect at work. She stressed the importance of having effective policies and procedures in place to address such situations and support employees appropriately. The Equality Commission confirmed that Tesco reaffirmed its commitment to equality of opportunity and expressed regret over the events that led to Lara’s claims. The company agreed to work with the Equality Commission to review its policies on harassment and improve processes moving forward.
Sex discrimination laws, according to McGahey, are still crucial in ensuring that everyone is treated fairly in the workplace. Employers must take action against any behavior that falls short of the standard of dignity and respect. Training managers to handle these situations effectively is essential to creating a safe and inclusive work environment.
In settling the case, Tesco acknowledged the impact of the events on Lara and committed to enhancing their processes. They also agreed to collaborate with the Equality Commission to review and strengthen their policies, practices, and procedures related to harassment. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance in upholding equal opportunities and preventing discrimination in the workplace.