Tanciu and Treasury Board (Veterans Affairs Canada)

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166-2-27712
Tanciu and Treasury Board (Veterans Affairs Canada)

Before: M. Korngold Wexler
Appearances: L. Quesnel, for the Grievor; R. Piché, for the Employer
Decision rendered: August 5, 1997

Suspension without pay (5 days) – Misconduct – Employee's attitude – Duty of civility – Physician – the employer suspended the grievor without pay for five days because the grievor had been disrespectful and discourteous toward the psychologist of one of the employer's clients in a telephone conversation – the employer had already noted a number of incidents relating to the grievor's attitude and behaviour – the employer argued that employees have a duty of civility – the employer claimed that the grievor had a very bad attitude toward it and its clients – the employer argued that in the circumstances, it had to send the grievor a clear message that his attitude could not be tolerated – the grievor acknowledged that employees owe their employer a duty of civility – the grievor claimed that the telephone conversation had been lively and that the psychologist in question had not felt offended or humiliated by it – the grievor argued that his conduct warranted at most a reprimand – the adjudicator held that the grievor had been disrespectful toward the psychologist – the adjudicator confirmed the five-day suspension without pay.

Grievance denied.