On behalf of Osuji & Smith posted in Employment And Labour Law on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.
In a statement of claim, Don Goss alleges he was harassed, bullied and intimidated by a co-worker during his years with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). The co-worker in question is a civilian employee, who is now retired.
Goss was employed by EPS from 2006 to 2016 as an electronic technician. His work was to assist police officers during their investigations by supplying and installing the technology required for surveillance.
Goss’s lawyer, Robert Hladun, told CBC the case was complicated. “I was introduced to individuals in a disgusting and obscene way. I was ridiculed for the way I ate and my body type. It was inferred that I had a drinking problem. I was contradicted on work techniques, decisions made during investigations…the list goes on and on,” said Goss.
In January, Goss filed a statement of claim in Edmonton Court of Queen’s Bench for $500,000. The Edmonton Police Service, Chief Rod Knecht, the City of Edmonton, and four John Does are named as defendants.
Timeline of Harassment Investigations
In 2013, Don Goss complained to a superintendent. This action triggered an internal EPS investigation into harassment.
In 2014, a document of the complaint process was prepared in July, and CBC obtained a copy.
In 2015, in a memo written by EPS in preparation for further mediation, the authors stated that Goss’s two predecessors were also subjected to harassment and bullying by the same person.
In 2015, Don Goss went on a medical leave of absence due to the stress, and the Workers Compensation Board accepted his claim as a workplace injury.
In 2016, after Goss returned to work in a different position the harassment continued, he said. Goss officially resigned in January 2016.
Source: Edmonton police work was jeopardized by harassment on the job, says former civilian employee. CBC News · Posted: May 08, 2018 6:30 AM MT, by Josee St-Onge.
