Monthly Archives: November 2008

The harassment started soon after Mr Thomas began work as a 17-year-old apprentice engine reconditioner for the Melbourne company Westpoint Cylinder Heads in January 2003. Mr Alexiou, who denied the harassment, was the company director and signed Mr Thomas’s apprenticeship papers. About 4.30pm each day, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard, Mr Thomas and his colleagues would prepare to leave work. At that time, Mr Alexiou would have a shower in the bathroom area of the factory’s workshop.

Mr Thomas said that one afternoon Mr Alexiou said: “Come on Chris, I am going for a shower. Come with me and scrub my back.” Other staff were present and laughed.
Mr Alexiou would also say that Mr Thomas was going to come in the shower with him and “pick up the soap”.
The tribunal found the shower incidents occurred on 120 occasions between 2003 and 2006. It found that when Mr Thomas was carrying a heavy object or working under the bonnet of a car, Mr Alexiou would grab him from behind and simulate sex, or try to grab his genitals.
Mr Thomas said he would tell Mr Alexiou to “f..k off and leave me alone”. There was usually laughter from any colleagues present.
Mr Alexiou said Mr Thomas was motivated by jealousy and greed. But the tribunal found Mr Thomas to be a credible witness.