Leering customers deserve consequences for harassing workers

May 24, 2026 — 4:25pm

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The days of customers harassing public-facing workers with apparent impunity are hopefully numbered following a wide-reaching court decision that imposed consequences on a customer and contractor who had sexually harassed an employee.

In a decision confirming customers and other patrons can be held liable for harassing workers, the Federal Circuit and Family Court found a male worker at a self-storage facility had been sexually harassed by a major customer of the business and a contractor.

The Herald’s Michaela Whitbourn reports that under orders made by the court, the two men are jointly liable to pay $90,000 in compensation. Separately, they were ordered to pay penalties of $13,000........

© The Sydney Morning Herald