Yellowknife (Oct 08/03) - NWT Commissioner Glenna Hansen is being sued by a former secretary who alleges that "verbal and non-verbal abuse" drove her to depression and out of her job.

Nancy Anderson is seeking unspecified damages for psychological traumas when she worked for the territorial government in 2000 and 2001.

In a statement of claim that also names the territorial government as a defendant, Anderson said Hansen threatened to have her fired without cause, forced her to do accounting work even though she had no training in the field and repeatedly interrupted her, making it impossible for her to work.

Anderson said that led to "anxiety, insomnia, cognitive impairment...and the inability to carry on employment."

Anderson also alleged she is owed money for overtime work and that Hansen failed to repay a personal loan for an unspecified amount.

Anderson's claim was filed June 6. In a statement of defence filed Sept. 5, Hansen said she did not treat her secretary unfairly. She said Anderson's psychological problems were caused by external factors, not the workplace environment.

Anderson said the government bears some of the blame for ignoring the "foreseeable risk" of psychological damage caused by Hansen's alleged behaviour. The government rejected Anderson's claim that Hansen had acted inappropriately and stood behind the commissioner.

Anderson's lawyer, Adrian Wright, refused to discuss the case. Hansen took a three-month leave of absence in early September. She was not available for comment.