Penticton BC fire chief files suit alleging wrongful dismissal

The CBC reports that a former fire chief from Penticton in southern British Columbia has brought a lawsuit alleging wrongful dismissal by his former city employer. The 56-year-old plaintiff filed the action in the BC Supreme Court claiming that he was dismissed from his employment while he was on short-term disability and receiving workers' compensation for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from work-related trauma. 

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Introduction to section 13 of the BC Human Rights Code

The British Columbia Human Rights Code (the "Code") forbids discrimination in employment based on certain protected employee characteristics. Employees in BC who believe that they are the victim of employment discrimination may file a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal, a administrative tribunal which has exclusive jurisdiction over hearing human rights matters that arise in BC at first instance.

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BC tribunal finds human rights violations by police employer

The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal has sided with a Victoria police officer and his claims that the Victoria Police Department, his employer, interfered with his right to express his political beliefs as guaranteed under the BC Human Rights Code. The Canadian Press reported that the officer was awarded $20,000 on five of his eight claims for injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect.

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Suggestive uniforms for female restaurant workers may violate human rights

A recent article from CBC news suggests that some legal experts believe that requiring female restaurant staff to wear suggestive clothing while working may be a violation of Canadian human rights laws. As an example, the article cites a 2001 BC Human Rights Tribunal decision in which a female employee of a Vancouver restaurant refused to wear a bikini top to serve beverages at a Hawaiian-themed party.

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