Report into Leduc Fire Services describes ‘poisoned work environment,’ mishandled complaints
Global News
The city hired Veritas Solutions to conduct a workplace investigation into allegations of discrimination and harassment made by Leduc Fire Services employees.
An independent investigation ordered after two Leduc firefighters alleged sexual assault, harassment, bullying and discrimination in the workplace was recently made public.
Third-party investigators uncovered what they described as a “psychologically unsafe and harmful culture” at Leduc Fire Services, “serious, systemic and long-standing misconduct,” and that management “failed to provide a duty of care to its employees.”
The reports, conducted by Veritas Solutions on behalf of the City of Leduc, were ordered June 2021 and presented to the city January 2022, but were just recently disclosed publicly after months of lobbying by the firefighters.
The reports are now also filed as part of a class-action lawsuit against the City of Leduc.
The City of Leduc declined to comment on the report while the lawsuit is before the courts.
In its investigation, Veritas found that: “Over the past several years, the mishandling of serious complaints of sexual assaults and harassment that were not taken seriously or properly investigated has created a hostile or poisoned work environment for some women.”
The reports state that management discriminated against female employees when complaints were brought forward, and the failure to address the issues left many women worried about retribution — which could include losing their job.
“The management has failed to provide duty of care to their employees, ensuring a safe environment to make complaints and ensure that unwanted/uninvited behaviours do not continue.”