A five-figure settlement has been awarded to a Setfords client due to stress at work
she endured whilst employed as a Supervisor at a construction company.

The client began working for her employer in June 2017. From November 2017, our client began to experience bullying and sexual harassment at work by a colleague.

Throughout our client’s employment, her colleague (MB) would consistently make inappropriate sexual comments towards her. Our client lodged complaints with her line manager in August 2017, December 2017, and February 2018, and was advised to make notes about MB’s behaviour. HR was also informed of this issue.

In March 2018, our client met with HR. No formal report was lodged following the meeting.

Our client lodged a grievance in July 2018 and interviews took place in July and August.  She was advised that, despite the formal complaint and nature of the allegations, MB had not been suspended. This caused her ‘extreme stress’ and she requested an urgent update on her grievance.

From 25^th September, our client and her fiancé began to experience harassment from MB in the form of abusive letters and telephone calls.

Upon returning to work following a routine operation in February 2019, our client found that her colleagues had been discussing the investigation and MB had been discussing this with customers. Our client felt she did not have closure as MB openly stated he was able to resign rather than be disciplined.

In April 2019, our client spoke to NB and requested an urgent transfer as she was being followed by MB and this was causing her anxiety and physical palpitations. The harassment from MB continued in the form of telephone calls, until our client was signed off sick for eight weeks due to work related stress.

Our client relocated and returned to work on 5^th September 2019, but by November 2019 she was having heart palpitations again. The GP referred our client for counselling and she was diagnosed with PTSD. Our client raised this diagnosis with HR who was also the Mental Health and Wellbeing First Aider, but no referral to Occupational Health was made or discussed.

Our client approached Setfords to assist her in her claim. Liability was denied and court proceedings were issued on 26^th March 2021. A defence was filed but the claim ultimately settled by Part 36 offer on 11^th November 2021 for a five-figure sum.