Class Action For Workplace Sexual Harassment Allowed To Proceed

A former flight attendant of WestJet, Mandalena Lewis, has commenced a class action lawsuit on behalf of a proposed class of WestJet employees, alleging that the company breached its promise to provide a harassment-free workplace.

Ms. Lewis alleges that she suffered sexual assault at the hands of a pilot who had previously engaged in similar behaviour with another flight attendant and, despite WestJet's knowledge of the previous assault, WestJet did not discipline or dismiss the pilot. The claim alleges that Lewis suffered physical, emotional, and psychological harm from WestJet's systemic breach of its promise to employees to provide a harassment-free workplace. The claim further sets out that WestJet benefited from the breach by saving the costs of implementing a proper anti-harassment procedure, and making increased profits from promoting its reputation as an airline that does not tolerate harassment.