Female contractor verbally abused on building site

December 2022

Beth* runs her own building company and was providing building services to another large construction company.

Beth was the only female contractor on the building site and was verbally abused by the foreman when he made derogatory comments about her and her workmanship. She complained to management at the construction company several times about this, but very little action was taken.

Beth lodged a complaint of sex discrimination and victimisation with ADNSW.

The construction company denied that Beth had been treated differently because she was a woman.

The complaint was resolved at a conciliation conference when the construction company agreed to pay Beth $20,000.

*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual