KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Industrial Court has praised Petronas for addressing sexual harassment decisively after dismissing a senior officer found guilty of harassing four female employees.
Court chairman Eswary Maree said that a safe and secure work environment is as fundamental as the right to life, FMT reported.
In a 64-page ruling, she said that dismissal can be justified in serious misconduct cases.
The senior officer, who was seconded to Dubai from 2015 to 2018, faced complaints from four female employees — three foreign nationals and one local — regarding inappropriate comments and unwanted physical advances.
Eswary praised Petronas for promptly addressing the issue and protecting its employees.
She said it is the company's duty to prevent such behaviour, especially from a senior officer with legal qualifications.
Despite the accused's defence claiming his actions were misunderstood and denying physical contact, Eswary ruled that he violated Petronas's code of conduct and workplace standards.
She said that the domestic inquiry followed natural justice principles and deemed the dismissal justified.
In summary, Eswary said that the company's decision to terminate the employee was appropriate given the circumstances.