Qld: Woman claims sexual harassment after massage

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2000
Qld: Woman claims sexual harassment after massage

By Debra Nowland

BRISBANE, Aug 21 AAP - A woman today started sexual harassment action over her boss
allegedly massaging her shoulders.

Sandra Smith, 25, of Queensland's Sunshine Coast, was employed by Financial Advisers
Australia at Maroochydore in February 1999 as a telemarketer.

The mother of three, who was married last year and changed her name to Hammond, told
Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Tribunal she was given a massage from her boss, John
Hehir, on two occasions before she resigned her position after two weeks employment.

Giving evidence today, Mrs Hammond said while she at first believed her employer was
"being friendly" it later made her feel violated and uncomfortable because he had betrayed
her trust as an employer.

Mrs Hammond said Mr Hehir had massaged her after she had received a telephone call
from her fiance, Wayne Hammond.

She said she was upset because they had been told they needed to move.

"He just put his arm around me and pressed his lips against the side of my head and
said it would be okay," she told the hearing.

She said the following evening Mr Hehir again stood behind her and began touching her
on the shoulders but this time asked if she would like a proper massage.

"I had a troubling headache ... and he asked if we could meet somewhere," Mrs Hammond said.

"He was rubbing my back and shoulders and down my back and sides closer to my breasts,
I then said I needed some panadol."

Mrs Hammond also claimed another female employee had told her she had been "grabbed
on the breast".

In cross examination, defence lawyer Bernadette Callaghan put to Mrs Hammond that she
had made up the allegations of sexual harassment because she had received an eviction
notice.

"Now you've beaten it up a bit haven't you ... trying to allude some sexual impropriety
in just a work colleague trying to comfort you in a time of distress?" Ms Callaghan asked.

"No. Not at all," Mrs Hammond replied.

The case is expected to continue tomorrow.

AAP dn/sc/cjh/de

KEYWORD: MASSAGE

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