Investigations into workplace bullying aren’t just a matter of an employer looking out for itself, according to one employment lawyer.
“[Investigations] are actually looking out for employees who have really serious fears for their physical safety based on some violence [or threats],” says Jon Pinkus, a partner with the Labour and Employment practice group at Samfiru Tumarkin in Toronto. “The key is to calibrate your reaction as an employer with the nature of the allegations, and if they are serious allegations then they deserve a serious investigation.”
Pinkus’ comments follow an arbitrator’s upholding of the firing of an Ontario worker for workplace bullying, despite a lack of prior related discipline.
