I was punished most after being groped by boss, claims woman

reaction: Former Starbucks worker claims she was treated unfairly after making complaint

A former Fife Starbucks worker who had her bottom grabbed by her boss says she has suffered most for her ordeal.

Hollie Taggart, 22, claims she was bullied after reporting the incident, which happened on December 2 in the coffee shop at Fife Leisure Park in Dunfermline.

Although a sheriff ruled there was not a significant sexual element to Terry Nicol’s offence and did not place him on the sex offenders register, Hollie believes she is a victim of sexual harassment.

“It’s taken its toll on my mental health,” she said.

“A lot of people don’t think it’s a sexual offence that he grabbed my bum.

“A lot of people don’t understand how wrong it is until they are in that situation.”

She said the incident had shattered her confidence, adding: “I don’t really want to go to another job now. My anxiety is through the roof.

“He’s done that because he couldn’t keep his hands to himself.”

Starbucks branch supervisor Nicol, 27, was sacked by the coffee giant and was fined £450 after appearing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, where he admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and seizing Hollie by the buttocks.

Nicol was off-duty and had spent the day drinking and watching football before dropping in at his workplace. The court heard he thought his victim would see the funny side of his touchy-feely “banter” but Hollie said it went further.

She said she was off sick for a month after the incident and eventually left the job after what she claims was bullying by senior colleagues.

“I reported it and my boss obviously shouted at him. He said he was sorry and laughed, and said he couldn’t remember,” she said. “He said it with a smirk on his face. “The area manager said if I went above his head and reported it to HR, it would be my job that was on the line.

“It’s not up to me how people should be punished but I feel I was punished more than he was.”

Nicol’s solicitor said he had acted “out of character”.

A spokeswoman for Starbucks said: “While we cannot comment specifically on individual cases due to confidentiality, all concerns brought to our attention by our team members are investigated thoroughly and we have structured internal procedures in place to support that.”

It’s not up to me how people should be punished but I feel I was punished more than he was. HOLLIE TAGGART