Commuters' sex harassment complaint

Female passengers alleging sexual harassment by a Wairarapa train guard are angry at the way rail company Tranz Metro has treated them and have complained to the Human Rights Commission.

The ticket collector, stood down last month after the allegations were made, told The Dominion Post he was on stress leave while mediation between him and the company continued.

Allegations against him include business cards being stolen and women being emailed and phoned inappropriately, notes being left on a car asking for a date, and women being followed in their cars late at night.

The complainants - more than 10 women - have been told by Tranz Metro they may never learn the outcome of their allegations because of privacy reasons.

In a written response to Featherston commuter and complainant Daphne Grant, KiwiRail chief executive Jim Quinn said the company was conscious of all perspectives and was doing its best to manage the process fairly.

"Due to our employment obligations, we may not be able to tell you the details of any process or any outcome," he said.

Mrs Grant, who first complained about being propositioned by the guard two years ago, said Tranz Metro had not treated the women fairly.

The commission said it was assessing the women's complaint based on sexual harassment covered under the Human Rights Act.

It would decide whether there had been unlawful discrimination and whether to assist the complainants and company through mediation, a spokeswoman said.

Tranz Metro spokesman Nigel Parry said the company was dealing with an employee matter "in a fair and careful process".

- NZPA