The Case

Taylor v August and Pemberton Pty Ltd (2023)

A young jewellery store employee lodged a complaint of sexual harassment, claiming she experienced sexual harassment and victimisation from her employer over a 22-month period.

The behaviour that the employee claimed was unwelcome and unsolicited behaviour constituting sexual harassment included:

• slapping the employee on her bottom;
• making repeated unwanted declarations of romantic feelings;
• making comments about the employee’s physical appearance;
• sending inappropriate messages to the employee;
• advancing an invitation to enter into a personal relationship;
• providing gifts of personal jewellery after having expressed feelings for the employee; and
• continuing to pursue the employee despite knowing she was not interested in having such a relationship.