Complaint Settled

A human rights complaint involving two former employees of a Dartmouth video-rental store has been settled.

In the complaint, Bethany McGowan alleged that she was sexually harassed by Mike Howie in 1995 and 1996 while they worked at Ambassador Video (1051684 Ontario Inc.). A formal complaint was signed in January 1997.

As part of the settlement recently approved by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, Mr. Howie agreed to pay Ms. McGowan $2,000 in damages, provide her with a letter of regret and participate in awareness training about sexual harassment.

Ms. McGowan also alleged that Ambassador Video retaliated against her when she complained to the Human Rights Commission in 1996. A formal complaint was signed in January 1997. However, Ambassador Video declared bankruptcy earlier this year. The commission discontinued the complaint against the store because the bankruptcy made pursuing a remedy impractical.