The woman discovered the e-mails by accident

The 37-year-old personal assistant said nine of her workmates had exchanged e-mails of a violent and sexual nature about her.

She resigned from her job at financial advisers Holden Meehan after claiming the firm had not taken her formal complaint seriously.

The woman, who has not been named, received the compensation in an out of court settlement, agreed before her case for constructive unfair dismissal and sexual harassment went before an employment tribunal.

'Shocked and upset'

The victim said she had accidentally discovered the e-mails after being given access to the computer of a colleague who had gone on extended leave.

She said: "I was really shocked and upset when I came across a series of unpleasant e-mails about me.

"When my complaint didn't seem to be taken seriously I lost confidence in my employer and felt I couldn't carry on working for them."

The 37-year-old said she had felt ostracised after making a complaint and being told by her office manager: "Imagine how the others feel, some of them are losing their jobs."

'Deeply distressing'

Julie Mellor, chairwoman of the Equal Opportunities Commission, which supported the case, said: "All employers should make their staff aware that sexual harassment can take many forms and can be deeply distressing for the person on the receiving end.

"The fact that comments are made by e-mail doesn't mean they should be treated any less seriously than if they were spoken or written down."

A spokeswoman for Bradford and Bingley, which took over Holden Meehan in June, said those responsible for the e-mails had been dismissed.