The R4 million sexual harassment case South African workers should know about

 ·8 May 2021

Almost 12 years after being sexually assaulted by a superior in the workplace, a former employee who was forced to resign was awarded R3.9 million in damages, which will be paid jointly by her former employer and perpetrator.

The case centred around an employee, E, who was employed by a municipality as an administrator, said legal firm Webber Wentzel.

“She reported to Jack, her immediate superior. The assault occurred on a Monday morning, when Jack entered E’s office, greeted her, walked over to her desk, put his mouth over hers and tried to force his tongue into her mouth,” the firm said.

“She blocked him by gritting her teeth and was left with a mouthful of his saliva.”

When E complained about the incident to her employer, she was placed on ‘special leave’ for two days.  Despite the requirements of the sexual harassment policy, Jack was not suspended and he was requested to refrain from visiting E’s workplace, as his office was at another premises.

On at least two occasions, he failed to abide by this request and E had to see him. Again, no immediate steps were taken against Jack for this insubordination.

Approximately six months after the assault, Jack was called to an internal disciplinary hearing where he was found guilty of “forcing himself on a female subordinate … and attempting to kiss her”. As a sanction, he was suspended without pay for two weeks.

High Court ruling

The employee, who would probably have succeeded in a constructive dismissal dispute, instead elected to institute a civil claim for damages in the High Court as a result of the sexual assault.

As part of her case, E sought to challenge the lawfulness of her former employer’s conduct in handling her sexual assault, and not its fairness.

In its ruling, the High Court took issue with the finding of the internal disciplinary hearing for two reasons:

  • The reference to “attempted to kiss” was an unjust mischaracterisation, as it was very far removed from the sexual assault which had actually taken place;
  • The fact that dismissal was not recommended as a sanction, given the seriousness of the offence​.

“The employer, an organ of state, was obliged to challenge the findings of the internal disciplinary hearing but failed to do so,” said Webber Wentzel.

“The employer also failed to provide a safe working environment for E, which had catastrophic consequences for her emotional and psychological wellbeing. This rendered her continued employment intolerable.”

The High Court further noted that the awful irony of the matter was that Jack was able to continue with his employment while E was left with no choice but to resign, due to the circumstances she faced.

E instituted a civil claim for damages against the employer, claiming damages in excess of R8 million.  Jack did not defend the claim, but the employer did.

Although the employer did not deny what had happened, it denied that it was to blame for the damages, alleging that it had done everything required by law to protect E.

However, this was clearly not the case, and in its findings, the High Court noted that “at a human level, the defence which was put up by the Municipality was devoid of introspection, humility or compassion”.

In 2016, the High Court found that both the employer and Jack were jointly and severally liable for the damages that E suffered.

After numerous delays occasioned by appeals and E’s mental capacity, the High Court finally held that the quantum to be paid by the employer and Jack amounted to more than R3.9 million in a ruling handed down in April 2021.

“This judgment once again highlights the importance of employers providing a safe working environment for all employees, which includes a positive duty to provide a workplace free of sexual assault, and other forms of harassment,” Webber Wentzel said.

“Employers should be aware that, depending on the course of action an employee may take, damages may not necessarily be capped by the LRA.”

  • Commentary by Kirsten Eiser (partner), Joani van Vuuren (senior associate) and Shane Johnson (professional support lawyer) at Webber Wentzel.

Read: New case deals with a South African employee who went into work after testing positive with Covid-19

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