Starr et al. v. Stevens

Starr et al. v. Stevens

The Tribunal found that respondent sexually harassed the three complainants in the course of employment: his conduct was unwelcome, sexual in nature (thus on the prohibited ground of sex), repeated and escalated to non-consensual touching and physical assault, poisoning the workplace; remedies ordered: cease-and-desist, $20,000 pain and suffering and $20,000 for wilful and reckless conduct to each complainant, lost wages of $44,973 to Starr, interest as set out, A.B. anonymized, and respondent must complete Commission-approved sexual harassment training at his expense.

Citation
2024 CHRT 127
Parties
Complainant: A.B.; Complainant: Francine Starr; Complainant: Melanie Stevens; Commission: Canadian Human Rights Commission; Respondent: Maxwell Stevens
Court
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
28 November 2024
Procedural Posture
Human Rights Sexual Harassment / Decision
Outcome
Complaints allowed
Legal Topics
Sexual Harassment, Harassment in Employment, Remedies, Confidentiality Orders, Wilful and Reckless Conduct, Lost Wages
Source Language
English
Human Rights Employment Law Administrative Law Sexual Harassment Harassment in Employment Remedies Confidentiality Orders Wilful and Reckless Conduct +1 more

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Parties

A.B.

Complainant

Francine Starr

Complainant

Melanie Stevens

Complainant

Canadian Human Rights Commission

Commission

Maxwell Stevens

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Human Rights Sexual Harassment / Decision

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether respondent sexually harassed the complainants
  2. 2 Whether the conduct was on the basis of a prohibited ground (sex)
  3. 3 Whether the conduct occurred in the course of employment

Ratio Decidendi

The Tribunal found that respondent sexually harassed the three complainants in the course of employment: his conduct was unwelcome, sexual in nature (thus on the prohibited ground of sex), repeated and escalated to non-consensual touching and physical assault, poisoning the workplace; remedies ordered: cease-and-desist, $20,000 pain and suffering and $20,000 for wilful and reckless conduct to each complainant, lost wages of $44,973 to Starr, interest as set out, A.B. anonymized, and respondent must complete Commission-approved sexual harassment training at his expense.

Court Disposition

Complaints allowed