👩‍⚖️ Civil Servant Demands $750k Compensation for Minister's Inappropriate Joke

A female civil servant is seeking CI$750,000 in financial compensation from the government following an inappropriate joke made by Culture Minister Bernie Bush. The incident, which occurred in February during preparations for International Women's Day, involved Bush telling a crude joke and gesturing towards his crotch. The woman alleges that the incident and its subsequent handling by officials have caused her significant stress and anxiety. Despite receiving a verbal and written apology from Bush, the woman believes more action should be taken by the government. 🏦

Bush has acknowledged his behavior, stating that the joke was unprofessional and meant no harm. He also mentioned that he had told the same joke to the woman and others in the past without any issues. However, he accepted that it was inappropriate and apologized directly to the woman. The woman claims that Bush's initial apology was given in anger and that the written apology took several weeks to arrive. She also alleges that she has been subjected to victim blaming and shaming since reporting the incident to Deputy Governor Franz Manderson. 📝

The woman's demand for compensation has been outlined in a letter addressed to the Office of the Premier. She details the incident, her past experiences with workplace sexual harassment, and her concerns about Bush's history of inappropriate behavior. The woman claims that the incident has triggered past traumas, leading her to seek counseling and legal representation, which she believes should be covered by the requested compensation. The government is currently reviewing the Sexual Harassment Bill, which implies that inappropriate jokes can constitute sexual harassment depending on the circumstances. ⚖️