A FORMER Quinn Insurance worker did not give the company a detailed account of bullying allegations until six months after she was asked to do so, an Employment Appeals Tribunal heard yesterday.
Olivia Barry of Riverview, Athlumney Abbey, Navan, Co Meath, has taken a constructive dismissal case against the company.
She claims she was forced to resign after being bullied by colleagues and feels the company did not deal adequately with her complaint.
Ms Barry worked as a commercial claims co-ordinator from March 2008 until her resignation in February 2010.
She had claimed she was “picked on” and spoken to “like a dog” and had suffered anxiety and panic attacks. By November 2008 she described herself as “isolated” and said she “had no help”.
On Tuesday, her former colleague, regional claims controller Ken O’Connell, told the tribunal the allegations against him were “completely untrue” and that he treated Ms Barry “with respect”.
An internal investigation by Quinn Insurance human resources manager Ivo Fay dated November 2009 found that “on balance” there was no evidence of bullying or harassment.
Mr Fay had asked Ms Barry for details of specific incidents (including dates and witnesses) on a number of occasions from April 2009, the tribunal heard.
She had informed him by email of her basic allegations in April 2009 but did not send a detailed written account until October 1st, the tribunal heard yesterday.
Under cross-examination, Mr Fay was asked why he did not begin the full investigation until six months after she sent him the basic facts. Mr Fay said he wanted to have full information before completing the investigation. He said he found Ms Barry’s initial complaint had been dealt with “fully and appropriately” by her former manager, Pádraig Carroll.
The tribunal will rule on the case in due course.
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