IBM hit with A$1.1m sexual harassment suit

Vendor giant sued for failing to act on former employee's sexual harassment and bullying claims

A former IBM employee is seeking damages totalling A$1.1m (£712,000) over claims the vendor failed to respond to complaints of sexual harassment and bullying.

The claimant, a senior sales consultant based at IBM's Melbourne office, is alleged to have suffered two years of sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying while employed by the company.

Legal firm Maurice Blackburn said the former employee had asked not to be named, and has been unable to work due to stress-related illnesses caused by her ordeal.

Siobhan Keating, Maurice Blackburn special counsel, said the alleged abuse began when a new senior manager, who has since left the company, was employed by the vendor.

"Our client was a high-performing executive earning in excess of A$150,000 per year, and often took home bonuses of several thousand dollars per month," said Keating.

"She did her job very well until the appointment of a new senior manager, who systematically harassed and bullied her."

It is also claimed that, despite complaining to four senior staff at IBM, no action was taken by the vendor for almost 18 months.

"The attitude of IBM in the face of these serious allegations exacerbated the damage to our client's career and health and pushed our client to the edge," said Keating.

"The effect on our client has been devastating. She has lost her career at IBM and it is unclear whether she will work again."

As a result, the unnamed employee has submitted a claim against IBM to the Australian Human Rights Commission for A$1.1m.

According to Maurice Blackburn, the sum is being sought as compensation for the loss of future earnings and to cover the medical costs incurred so far.

"No one has a right to bully or sexually harass a colleague at work. IBM's continued poor handling of this matter has harmed our client in the most severe of ways," continued Keating.

"We allege that the conduct of the senior manager was unlawful and that IBM's inaction was unlawful. These are serious issues that should have been dealt with immediately."

In a report on Computerworld Australia, IBM responded to the claims by stating that an investigation into the matter was launched when the complaints were first made 18 months ago.

"IBM takes any allegations of this nature very seriously," the vendor said in a statement. "We insist on a non-discriminatory workplace and we do not tolerate harassment of any type.

"We look forward to this matter being resolved swiftly and in the interests of all concerned," it concluded.