On February 15, 2017, Ontario's
Court of Appeal confirmed a $60,000 moral damage award in
favour of 9-year employee Melissa Doyle (the only woman working in
the zinc oxide plant) against Zochem Inc. which failed to act in
good faith in the manner of Doyle's termination.
Doyle, a Plant Supervisor and Health and Safety Coordinator, was
sexually harassed by a work colleague who repeatedly made crude and
licentious comments to her. Doyle complained. In response, the
company undertook a cursory investigation and failed to give Doyle
an opportunity to respond to the harasser's version of
events.
At the time the company had made the decision to fire Doyle.
However, they told Doyle her job was not in jeopardy. Doyle's
coworkers, who knew she was to be fired, ignored legitimate safety
issues she had raised and demeaned and belittled her, which brought
her to tears.
