Board to Hear Sex Harassment Complaint
A human rights board of inquiry will hear a complaint of sexual harassment against Bay Landing Dining Room and Lounge in Prospect Bay and against former employee Tommy Duggan.
Jan Slauenwhite of Prospect Bay alleges that on Nov. 5, 2000, she was tending bar at the Bay Landing Dining Room and Lounge when her co-worker Tommy Duggan came in to have several drinks. Ms. Slauenwhite says Mr. Duggan stayed to help her close the bar and proceeded to sexually harass her by making lewd remarks, touching her and trying to make her touch him in a sexual way.
When the matter was brought to the attention of lounge owner Jamie Miles the next day, Ms. Slauenwhite alleges he did not treat it seriously and did not act on her request not to be scheduled for shifts with Mr. Duggan.
The independent hearing will be chaired by Bonita Small and will begin on Tuesday Nov. 23 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 307 of the Dalhousie Student Union Building, 6136 University Ave. in Halifax. It will continue at the Student Union Building on Wednesday, Nov. 24, Thursday Nov. 25, Tuesday, Nov. 30 and Wednesday, Dec. 1 and at the Holiday Inn Harbourview, 101 Wyse Rd. in Dartmouth on Thursday, Dec. 2 and Friday, Dec. 3.
A human rights complaint is referred to a board of inquiry when the commissioners of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission believe a prima facie case of discrimination is made after an investigation by a human rights officer. The chief judge of the provincial court selects a nominee to chair the hearing from a roster and the commissioners ratify the nomination.
The decision on the outcome of the complaint is then in the hands of the independent chair of the board.
Evidence collected during the investigation of a complaint is presented at the hearing by the Human Rights Commission's legal counsel. The complainant and respondent are able to make submissions and question witnesses. The board chair then decides whether or not discrimination has occurred.
FOR BROADCAST COPY:
A human rights board of inquiry will hear a complaint of
sexual harassment filed by Jan Slauenwhite of Prospect Bay.
Ms. Slauenwhite alleges she was subjected to lewd remarks
and was physically handled by her co-worker Tommy Duggan at the
Bay Landing Dining Room and Lounge in Prospect Bay in November
- When she brought the matter to the attention of lounge
owner Jamie Miles, Ms. Slauenwhite claims he did not treat it
seriously.
The hearing will begin Tuesday (November 23rd)at 9:30 A.M.
in Room 307 of the Dalhousie Student Union Building in Halifax.
The independent board chair is Bonita Small.