A legal expert says many employers struggle to deal with external threats and harassment risks.

Auckland University microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles has been awarded $20,000 in damages over an employment dispute.

She provided technical expertise as a commentator during the pandemic, and claims the university didn't protect her from resultant threats.

Otago University Law Lecturer Dawn Duncan says the threats weren't coming from her employer, which hinders its ability to identify them and take action.

"They needed to get better advice and they needed to implement it before the emergency situation happened."

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