Maximum compensation of two years' salary has been awarded for the first time by the Equality Tribunal in a sexual harassment case.
It made the award of €13,000 to a community employment scheme worker who claimed she was subjected to "sexually abusive behaviour" by her supervisor.
She also alleged she was victimised by the scheme's management committee when she made a complaint about the supervisor's behaviour in that no proper investigation was carried out and she had been left with no option but to resign.
The woman worked as a secretary and administrator on the FÁS-sponsored scheme which provided day-care services for older people in an area which has not been disclosed.
Her supervisor claimed she had invited his advances and had consented to the behaviour they engaged in, which involved hugging and caressing but nothing sexual.
The complainant, who shared a small office with the supervisor, said he consistently attempted to grope her, made personal remarks of a sexual nature and on one occasion exposed himself to her.
The equality officer who heard the case, Ms Mary Rogerson, found that the supervisor had "assumed consent" to treatment which could reasonably be regarded as sexually offensive, humiliating or intimidating.
She also found there were "serious flaws" in the manner in which the woman's complaint had been dealt with by her employer.
These included a request that the complainant, rather than her supervisor, remain absent from work while the investigation was carried out, as well as failures to maintain confidentiality, make clear findings or take disciplinary action.
In making the €13,000 award against the claimant's employer, Ms Rogerson said she was constrained by the claimant's weekly pay and the statutory ceiling on compensation.
The woman's case before the tribunal was supported by the Equality Authority, which said yesterday that sexual harassment had a "devastating impact" on those affected.
Its chief executive, Mr Niall Crowley, said agencies such as FÁS should ensure that the management committees of schemes they funded had the capacity to fulfil their obligations under equality legislation.