Former employee’s claims of racial discrimination dismissed.

 

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has dismissed a former Winc Australia employee’s claim of racial discrimination, sex discrimination and sexual harassment.

 

The application was filed on February 16, 2022, and the court handed down its decision on 30 June this year, dismissing the application. 

 

According to a report in Human Resources Director, the employee worked as a labour hire forklift operator and warehouse hand from May 2008 before becoming a direct employee of Winc in June 2012. 

 

Her case involved a range of allegations. She claimed she was subjected to comments about her race, Maori and New Zealand background, accent and appearance. She also alleged comments relating to her pregnancies, family responsibilities and sex, as well as sexual harassment involving two workplace individuals. 

 

Winc and the individual respondents involved in the case denied the alleged conduct, HRD reported.

 

A key feature of the case was the court's examination of Winc's workplace systems. 

 

After reviewing the evidence from all parties and witnesses, the court found that the employee had not established her claims and dismissed the application.