One of the photos of vandalism included with Lauren Mercredi's viral Facebook post that alleged sexual harassment while at she was a lifeguard at the city's pool. RCMP are investigating the vandalism to the vehicles and home. - photo courtesy Facebook |
City investigates after Facebook post claims sexual harassment
Woman alleges inappropriate touching, texts; says home and vehicles vandalized after complaint
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, June 19, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
City councillors and staff convened Wednesday to discuss allegations in a Facebook post that's been shared more than 850 times where a female former city employee says she was sexually harassed by a male co-worker.
On Monday, Lauren Mercredi wrote that she was sexually harassed by an unnamed male employee when she worked as a lifeguard at the city-run Ruth Inch Memorial Pool.
Yellowknifer reached out to her but she declined an interview at this time until she has heard back from the city. The newspaper has been unable to substantiate details of her post.
Coun. Bob Brooks said when councillors became aware of the allegations they asked for an investigation, which prompted administration to meet with council on Wednesday in a closed session.
He was not at the meeting and deferred to the city's deputy mayor Linda Bussey, who chaired the meeting because the mayor is away. The city issued a written response to interview requests.
"Due to privacy legislation, the city is unable to comment on any specific incidents involving confidential matters about our employees," Bussey's statement says. "We value all our employees and provide a safe workplace in all city facilities.
"We have a conflict resolution & anti-harassment policy in place and any complaints that the City of Yellowknife receives are dealt with in accordance with our policies and procedures."
The harassment policy states complaints are considered official if submitted in a written format. Managers are responsible for explaining the complaint procedures, which include notifying the senior administrative officer (SAO). If mediation between the sides does not work, employees have the right to expect an investigation within 30 days of a report being filed. An investigation report would then be submitted to the SAO. If the investigation substantiates the allegations, "appropriate action will be taken," the nature of which is decided by managers or the SAO.
Coun. Niels Konge said following the Wednesday meeting that "I am confident that we have followed the policy to a 'T.'"
On Wednesday, Coun. Cory Vanthuyne wrote on Facebook the city is committed to a work environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect.
"The city employs hundreds of people," he wrote. "Harassment or discrimination of any kind is not tolerable in any way at the city. Unfortunately, there have been and will likely continue to be instances that these unwanted behaviours take place."
Mercredi's post had been shared 858 times by Thursday afternoon. She wrote that she lodged a complaint with the city in January about the male employee, who she describes as 10 years younger than her.
"This individual told me he carries a butterfly knife on him, he told me Justin Bourque was his hero because he was successful in his mission of killing several police officers, he told me that killing police officers is great because they are not heroes, he touched me inappropriately at work several times after I told him to stop and he texted me frequently with inappropriate things he wants to do to me sexually," she wrote.
Bourque killed three RCMP officers in Moncton, N.B. last year. It's not clear whether she went to the police with the allegations.
In a January meeting about her concerns she alleges a city employee offered to schedule her and the male at separate times. She wrote that she quit because he remained an employee. When she visited the pool again in May, she alleges he subjected her to verbal harassment.
She said her Range Lake neighbourhood home was then egged. She posted photos she said were taken this past weekend that show the home and vehicles vandalized with spray-painted swastikas, crude images of male genitalia, and "I'm gay" on the back of a truck.
RCMP Const. Elenore Sturko stated there's an ongoing vandalism investigation and that no other information could be released at this time.
Mercredi encouraged anyone else who has felt uncomfortable because of a city employee to lodge a complaint.
"I was always taught that the squeaky wheel gets the grease and it is time this grease stain be held accountable," Mercredi wrote.
