Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can violate an employee’s character, may create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment; or the employee who is being sexually harassed is treated less favourably on the grounds of refusing the advances of the person causing the sexual harassment.
Harassment of a sexual nature does not have to a continuation of a certain type of behaviour, incidents of sexual harassment can be a one off or a series of offensive behaviours. Examples of sexual harassment to include but are not limited:
Unwanted jokes, gestures, offensive words on clothing, and unwelcome of a sexual nature comments.
Unnecessary touching or any other bodily contact, restricting an employee’s ability to move, unwanted flirting, unnecessary advances of a sexual nature.
Transmitting offensive e-mails to include the downloading pornographic e-mails, insensitive jokes, displays of unacceptable material such as pin-up calendars or graffiti.
We understand that being the victim of such abuse can be traumatic and it can be a difficult time for a victim.
If you are considering discussing sexual harassment with a Solicitor it is important that you do so as soon as possible, there are steps that you must take in order to substantiate your claim and certain time limits in order to proceed with an action may apply.
Calculation of compensation by Irish Courts
Compensation is awarded by the Irish Courts under the following headings:
- General damages for pain and suffering
- Special damages which cover financial under the following headings
- Cost of past and future medical treatment;
- Cost of past and future loss of earnings;
- Cost of aids, equipment and extensions/alterations to homes transport.
Important Time Frames
Whilst events of this nature may have occurred many years ago this does not prevent the commencement of court proceedings. Extension to the normal time frames can be allowed for several reasons. Detailed advice should be taken in this regard and delay should be avoided if any form of legal action is being considered.