“Workplace Relations Commission rules in favour of employee in harassment case against healthcare organization and staffing agency”

A recent adjudication by the Workplace Relations Commission found that texts sent by an office manager to a temporary clerical officer were “completely inappropriate by any standard”. Despite this, the adjudicator could only make a “marginal conclusion” in favour of the complainant, who had lodged ten complaints against the HSE’s Community Healthcare Organisation 8 (CHO 8) and Matrix Recruitment Group Ltd. The complainant, Paula McCormack, claimed that she had been forced to take stress leave due to the conduct of her office manager, who constantly changed her hours and did not pay her for extra work. She also cited late-night work-related texts and the use of a permanent job prospect as a threat. While the adjudicator found evidence of unreasonable behaviors, he did not find proof of discrimination or victimisation, and rejected additional claims made by Ms McCormack under various employment acts. Ms McCormack was awarded just €1,000 under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.