An investigation at the Thompson Nicola Regional District head office last month by WorkSafe BC focused on workplace bullying and harassment.
The inspection was done on Jan. 24, and a copy of the report was forwarded to NL News today.
The inspection by Erin Guy had two orders seeking compliance, both surrounding issues of workplace bullying and harassment.
The first noted the TNRD’s bullying and harassment policy and procedures did not comply with Worksafe guidelines – notably how or when to report incidents or staff complaints. It also noted that investigation procedures did not include the roles and responsibilities of staff and how investigations would be conducted nor a provision for record keeping.
Guy’s second order noted that workers have not been trained on proper techniques around bullying and harassment procedures.
“An employer must provide to the employer’s workers the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of those workers in carrying out their work and to ensure the health and safety of other workers at the workplace,” wrote Guy.
He gave the TNRD until today, Feb. 21, to get into compliance, but it remains unclear if that was done at this time.
“Without delay, the employer is directed to provide workers and supervisors with bullying and harassment training,” said Guy. “The employer must provide evidence of this training to this officer; this may include training documentation that includes the date of training, names of attendees and training content.”
It’s also unclear if this inspection is related to the sudden retirement of former CAO Sukh Gill last Friday, Feb. 14.
Board chair Ken Gillis says Gill was on holidays at the end of January, and chose to retire a short time after. He didn’t comment more, citing personnel issues, but acknowledged Gill’s departure was not a resignation as stated by a TNRD press release, saying the error was his mistake.
Calls to Gill today by Radio NL were not returned. The TNRD yesterday appointed former Kamloops CAO Randy Diehl as the interim CAO, pending a search for a permanent replacement.
