Gardner Leader: All Staffing Warehousing's alleged sexual harassment - a legal perspective

The beginning of the week was blighted by the news that All Staffing Warehousing Logistics (ASW) were being sued by Rosalene Isaac, who worked in the warehouse in September 2014, as a temporary agent through ASW. After complaining to the President of the recruitment firm about her treatment at work, the agency transferred her to another location. 

However, from there she says that she experienced yet more discrimination and unwarranted disciplinary action. She was also not contacted by the staffing agency or the employer about going into work. 

Speaking to Recruitment Grapevine, Julie Taylor, Senior Associate at Gardner Leader solicitors, gave her legal advice on the matter: "Workers in the UK are protected under the Equality Act from discrimination and harassment in the workplace on the basis of nine protected characteristics, which includes a person’s gender. This protection applies immediately and even during the recruitment process. 

"Sexual harassment occurs where an employee is subjected to a course of unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which either violates the employee’s dignity, or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. This could be inappropriate sexual jokes or unwelcome advances.