$175K settlement comes 9 years after woman filed sexism complaint against Winnipeg manufacturer

After nine years of waiting for a decision in a human rights complaint, a Winnipeg woman has been offered $175,000 in compensation, minus some deductions, by her former employer after she complained about a sexist atmosphere in the workplace.

The complaint was filed by Gwen Jaques against her former employer, Price Industries, a large multinational manufacturing company based in Winnipeg.

Jaques filed a complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission in 2015 after she was dismissed in June that year from her sales job at the company, which makes products such as air purification equipment. 

The complaint alleges that in violation of the Manitoba Human Rights Code, Jaques was discriminated against on the basis of her sex and her age at the time (53), and that she was subjected to harassment. 

The company denies the allegations.

Her dismissal was "devastating," Jaques told CBC News.

"I lost my way to earn an income and to work." 

After a hearing in April 2024, a decision by a human rights commission adjudicator said that as part of a settlement, Price Industries "has apologized for not thoroughly recognizing and addressing the sexist atmosphere in the workplace and not remediating the effects it had on female employees."

The human rights commission had done its own investigation into the complaint, and its 2019 report found that on a balance of probabilities, Jaques "was subject to harassment based on sex," and that Price Industries "did not take reasonable steps to terminate the harassment."

The investigation report concluded the company "systematically discriminates against female employees," but said it "did not discriminate against the complainant on the basis of age."

However, the July 11 decision notes that Price Industries and the human rights commission both take the position that the investigation report is "based on unsworn, unproven evidence and should not be considered."

The purpose of the April hearing was not to hear evidence or call witnesses, but rather only to have the adjudicator determine whether the settlement offer was reasonable.

Based on the company's settlement offer, the adjudicator ordered Price Industries to pay Jaques $150,000 (minus statutory deductions such as income tax, CPP and employment insurance) as compensation for financial loss, along with $25,000 in general damages for injury to her dignity.

WATCH | Dismissal was 'devastating,' says woman who alleged discrimination: