Boss must pay compo for sexually inappropriate behaviour

A Christchurch man has been awarded $2000 compensation by the Employment Relations Authority for being sexually harassed by his male boss.

In September 2008, Christopher Heeney was employed by Graeme Patching as a framer at Eco Frame and Mirror.

Mr Heeney said Mr Patching had touched his buttocks, touched his penis and made an inappropriate comment involving sodomy.

When he confronted Mr Patching with a letter of complaint, Mr Patching apologised and the apology was accepted.

Mr Heeney resigned from the company shortly afterwards, after a disagreement about wearing an MP3 player during working hours.

ERA member Paul Montgomery said Mr Patching explained his inappropriate insinuations as banter he had developed while working as a carpenter.

- NZPA