When assessing whether behavior constitutes sexual harassment, Canadian decision-makers usually look at the situation objectively. In other words, they don’t typically put much emphasis on subjective elements, such as the perception of the victim. Recently, an arbitrator in Quebec has done just that.
Facts
In Bombardier inc. et Association internationale des machinistes et des travailleurs et travailleuses de l’aérospatiale, section locale 712, two employees developed a friendship both in the workplace and online through Facebook. The two employees were L, a 34-year-old man and H, a 19-year-old woman. Over time, it appeared that L was not only attracted to H, but was also falling in love with her. These feelings were not reciprocated.
The content of their Facebook conversations clearly indicated that the relationship between the two coworkers appeared flirtatious at first. However, over time L’s comments toward H became increasingly sexual. This made H feel uncomfortable. H told L that his sexual comments were unwelcome and troubling to her.
The events culminated when L brought H flowers to work. He also grabbed her without her consent so that she could [our translation] “smell his perfume.” H filed a harassment complaint against L. She requested that she no longer work with him and asked that he cease communicating with her.
Following the employer’s investigation, L’s employment was terminated for sexual harassment.
Decision
The arbitrator recognized that L’s behavior toward H constituted sexual harassment. He also noted that the employer had a duty to protect the safety of its employees in the workplace. However, the arbitrator reinstated L and replaced the termination with a one-year suspension.
In reaching this conclusion, the arbitrator took into account a number of mitigating factors. One such factor was the victim’s wishes and perception:
• When filing her complaint, H did not wish for L to be terminated; and
• H was not truly offended by the sexual content of the messages because she recognized that it was [our translation] “the way guys write.”
In sum, the arbitrator concluded that although L’s behavior was highly reprehensible and constituted harassment, it did not warrant termination.
Conclusion
This decision suggests that the perception of the victim of harassment may be an element to be considered when determining the appropriateness of the sanction imposed on the harasser. This analysis appears to go against the main cases involving harassment in the workplace.
Time will tell if this angle of analysis will be followed by other arbitrators and in other parts of Canada. In the meantime, employers in all provinces should be aware that the perception of the victim may be viewed as a mitigating factor in disciplinary cases involving harassment in the workplace.
