Revelations about toxic workplace at Champlain College hit Lennoxville, Que. like 'bomb blast,' foundation president says

A teacher who works at Champlain College Lennoxville says they're relieved that allegations of nepotism, conflict of interest and a toxic work environment at the CEGEP were made public last month.

They say now, "everybody knows."

"This isn't a surprise to anyone internally. It's just disturbing how long it has remained a facet of work life," they said.

"More than anything else, it's a relief."

CBC News is keeping the employee's identity confidential because they fear workplace repercussions for speaking out. They said following CBC's investigative report into the allegations at the campus, employees received an emailed memo from the board of governors asking them not to speak to the media.

Champlain College Lennoxville is one of three campuses under Champlain Regional College.

Its campus director, Nancy Beattie, is the subject of the ongoing hearings at the Tribunal administratif du travail, Quebec's labour tribunal. No judgment has been rendered.

Through the tribunal, CBC News was able to obtain recordings of nine days of testimony from January, February and October.

Four people who reported to Beattie testified under oath against her, including one person who is the plaintiff in the case — saying their work environment makes it difficult to perform their jobs and has affected their physical and mental health.

"There's a mix of hope, disbelief and resignation," the CEGEP teacher told CBC. "Resignation [in that] nobody thinks it's going to make a difference."

While the employee says they personally haven't had issues dealing with Beattie, it was clear after they started working at the college that people's complaints around campus were not exaggerated.

They said they're concerned news of these detailed allegations might hurt the college's effort to recruit staff.

"There are lots of people that will not work here. So you know we've already lost some very talented individuals," they said.