Employee Alleged Harassment Case - Chad Kelly

[RB957]

This is the worst possible news for an organization that was just possibly starting to make some kind of a break through in the sports market in the city.

What troubles me most, just based on what has been reported, is how the organization handled this. It seems to me, that if it had been handled better from the outset, a lot of this could have been avoided. It just confirms to me that it doesn't matter what any organization prints or publishes as its "values", unless its employees, and more importantly supervisors and managers, are willing to act and do the right thing. There is an old saying that says "there is no right way to do the wrong thing".

On the issue of the wrongful dismissal suit... this employee was on a contract. If I understand the complaint, her contract was not renewed. This happens in the sports industry, and I guess it would depend if the general practise is that contracts are renewed at the end of each year as a matter of course, but hers wasn't. I am no expert on labour law, but it is not the same as being terminated without cause in the middle of the contract. Because she was allegedly relieved of some duties beforehand, she might be arguing that she was constructively dismissed. But in essence, I think the harassment element has been entered as the reason for the contract not being renewed. As someone has already said, trying to sweep things under the carpet. That is never going to work, especially in today's climate, nor should it. This whole situation was completely mismanaged, and the price that will be paid will be much more than any settlement of the lawsuit.

[matthew]

if this comes out that the “we are family org” really did handle this in the way it’s alleged, it’s bad, really bad. and this guy had a gf he always referred to in interviews (local girl too i recall) so lots of damage here.

[Antwon]

if this comes out that the “we are family org” really did handle this in the way it’s alleged, it’s bad, really bad. and this guy had a gf he always referred to in interviews (local girl too i recall) so lots of damage here.

Not making light of this, but what if the "girlfriend" was in his mind the coach? It would not be the first time one persons romantic obsession with someone not interested led them to erratic behaviour.

[AngeloV]

Not making light of this, but what if the "girlfriend" was in his mind the coach? It would not be the first time one persons romantic obsession with someone not interested led them to erratic behaviour.

I am staying out of most discussion related to this topic, but his girlfriend is a lady who he met through charitable work and is successful in the tech industry. Her name is Sarah Thompson.

[ArgoRavi]

I am staying out of most discussion related to this topic, but his girlfriend is a lady who he met through charitable work and is successful in the tech industry. Her name is Sarah Thompson.

I saw her interviewed on TV recently when CTV Toronto, I think, was doing a feature on Chad Kelly's charitable works. She absolutely does exist.

[Antwon]

I saw her interviewed on TV recently when CTV Toronto, I think, was doing a feature on Chad Kelly's charitable works. She absolutely does exist.

That's good to hear.