Séguin v. House of Commons

Full Text

466-HC-280 (2001 PSSRB 37)
Séguin v. House of Commons

Before: G. Giguère
Appearances: A. Bakaity, for the Grievor; C. Hofley, for the Employer
Decision rendered: April 24, 2001

Termination (disciplinary) – Intimidating behaviour – Assault on supervisor – Consumption of drugs – Christmas party – House of Commons – the grievor had been working for three years in the Maintenance Service Support Unit of the House of Commons when the employer terminated his employment – the reasons alleged in support of the termination were that, at a Christmas party, the grievor intimidated co-workers and supervisors, assaulted a supervisor and forced his acting supervisor to smoke hashish on that occasion – the Christmas party was held during working hours on the employer's premises – the employer submitted that the grievor's behaviour cannot be tolerated in the workplace, especially at the House of Commons – the employer took the position that the events leading to the grievor's termination occurred at work while the grievor was on duty – the grievor argued that the evidence was insufficient to establish that the bond of trust was permanently broken – he also submitted that no progressive discipline had been applied in this case – he added that the Christmas party was a private function – the adjudicator found that the employer had established by clear and cogent evidence that the grievor's misconduct had occurred – on the other hand, the grievor did not present a plausible explanation for his misconduct – the adjudicator found that the conduct had happened on the employer's premises while the grievor was off duty – he further found that termination was justified in the circumstances – there were no mitigating factors justifying altering that decision.

Grievance denied.