The province’s Labor Ministry is in the midst of harassment complaint investigation involving a high-ranking municipal employee.
The province’s Labor Ministry is in the midst of harassment complaint investigation involving a high-ranking municipal employee.
In an email, a ministry official indicated it was notified of a harassment complaint on Nov. 23 of last year.
While provincial officials confirmed the employer is the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, they declined to confirm the name of the accused.
The Daily News isn’t naming the individual until their identity can be independently verified. The allegation hasn’t been proven.
“(A ministry) inspector was assigned. One order was issued to the employer. (The ministry’s) investigation is ongoing,” the official added.
The nature of this order was unspecified.
In a release Friday, the municipality stated it doesn’t discuss investigations involving specific employees, as it would “violate the confidentiality of complainants and respondents.”
Don Shropshire, Chatham-Kent’s top administrator, issued a statement Friday saying the municipality takes every complaint it receives seriously and investigates appropriately.
“The municipality is guided by its responsibilities as an employer under various pieces of legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Human Rights Code and the Municipal Freedom of information and Protection of Privacy Act,” he said.
“Comprehensive policies are in place to ensure that our working environment is respectful, and the terms of these policies are shared with all employees.”
The municipality added that no further comments would be made at this time.
The Daily News was unable to reach Mayor Darrin Canniff for immediate comment Friday afternoon.