Employee Alleged Harassment Case - Chad Kelly

[bluto]

So if she felt she was wrongfully dismissed, and she felt she was a victim of sexual harassment, what should she have done other than file a statement of claim?

Well, if you've lawyered up and (this is conjecture) would accept a settlement offer after having an idea of what "damages" you've suffered... You don't think that a sitdown with the clubs representatives could produce an outcome? Particularly if they know that your next call is to Bell Media?

EDIT: you don't think that MLSE/Argos would gladly pay $140k today to have this memory holed?

[paulwoods13]

Well, if you've lawyered up and (this is conjecture) would accept a settlement offer after having an idea of what "damages" you've suffered... You don't think that a sitdown with the clubs representatives could produce an outcome? Particularly if they know that your next call is to Bell Media?

EDIT: you don't think that MLSE/Argos would gladly pay $140k today to have this memory holed?

I'm sure Keith Pelley (who does not start as head of MLSE until April 2) is just thrilled about all this. It's ugly as hell. As for what she did or didn't do, we don't know what, if any, discussions took place with the org beyond what has been reported about the statement of claim. Perhaps she didn't want any outcome other than keeping her job.

[bluto]

I'm sure Keith Pelley (who does not start as head of MLSE until April 2) is just thrilled about all this. It's ugly as hell. As for what she did or didn't do, we don't know what, if any, discussions took place with the org beyond what has been reported about the statement of claim. Perhaps she didn't want any outcome other than keeping her job.

Given the allegation in the suit, I can't see that.

[paulwoods13]

Given the allegation in the suit, I can't see that.

I'm sorry, I'm not following. Which allegation would suggest she did not want to keep her job?

[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.

[kellynjk]

Well we'll have to see more of the details of what happened, the timing and who was involved to get a better picture of the situation, but as others have noted, Argos management has really mismanaged this whole thing. I have no doubt that MLSE has protocols in place for all of their teams to file a complaint about an employee etc. and if the information in the TSN article is correct, it's baffling that no-one in the Argos management started this process, especially as it sounds like the woman not only raised concerns, but others in the organization witnessed some of Kelly's behaviour. Things might have been satisfactorily resolved if the Argos has done this.

While it's true the woman was on contract and therefore the Argos had the right to not renew the contract, the fact that the Argos didn't directly address this issue or trigger an investigation or complaint once she raised concerns looks bad. On top of that, they suggested she not teach a class and go home on one or more occasions, certainly gives the impression that the Argos were not only trying to sweep everything under the carpet, but also coddling Kelly instead of looking into what happened and dealing with it.

[paulwoods13]

People seem to know, or claim to know, a lot more than has actually been reported. Who is to say the complainant "went to the media" rather than have her lawyers approach MLSE directly? I'd wager that no one on this forum has any info on what happened before, during or after the events that are alleged to have happened. And again, I will remind everyone that civil suits are a matter of public record. Westhead might have been tipped off to the suit by anyone who knew about it, even a friendly clerk in the courthouse. Or he could have simply looked at all recently filed lawsuits and stumbled upon this. More than one journalist over the years has done that simple act of digging through what's available.

[OV Argo]

People seem to know, or claim to know, a lot more than has actually been reported. Who is to say the complainant "went to the media" rather than have her lawyers approach MLSE directly? I'd wager that no one on this forum has any info on what happened before, during or after the events that are alleged to have happened. And again, I will remind everyone that civil suits are a matter of public record. Westhead might have been tipped off to the suit by anyone who knew about it, even a friendly clerk in the courthouse. Or he could have simply looked at all recently filed lawsuits and stumbled upon this. More than one journalist over the years has done that simple act of digging through what's available.

Yep : bang-on Paul.

Best to wait till more info comes out before reaching any judge & jury decisions.

Still, this is a potential very ugly & shiny black-eye for both the Argos and the CFL. I'm very discouraged and disappointed by this news.

[Joe Barnes]

Total conjecture on my part, but I wonder if these (alleged) events had any influence on AJ Ouellette not resigning with the Argos? His wife is a strength and conditioning coach with the Cincinnati Reds, is she not? AJ would certainly have expectations as to how a female in this role should be treated by a professional sports team.

[kellynjk]

Another interesting article on this issue.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/br...fed-in-scandal

[BATKINSON001]

Another interesting article on this issue.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/br...fed-in-scandal

This was a much better article than the original tsn one or the 3down. It was spaced out better so I could read it easier.

This is definitely going to cost the team some fans, both new and existing.

I had bought a Kelly jersey last year, and now I don't even look forward to wearing it or any of the Argos stuff I have, even the two new light jackets I had just bought.

[gilthethrill]

Another interesting article on this issue.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/br...fed-in-scandal

Interesting in what sense? The way Hamilton describes Kelly as having been born with a “Silver Spoon” in his mouth? The way Hamilton accused Jim Kelly of sending in a favour to John Elway having his team draft his nephew? Or how he trashes Jim Barker for something that may have been said in 2011?

This stiff has a long standing issue with the Argos obviously.

[ArgoRavi]

Total conjecture on my part, but I wonder if these (alleged) events had any influence on AJ Ouellette not resigning with the Argos? His wife is a strength and conditioning coach with the Cincinnati Reds, is she not? AJ would certainly have expectations as to how a female in this role should be treated by a professional sports team.

This same thought did cross my mind in the past couple of days but I have seen speculation about AJ feeling disrespected by the Argos in some way and that is why he left.

[BATKINSON001]

speaking of her contract, wasn't she making less than minimum wage? 25k doesn't seem like much even if it was for only the length of the season. I work retail for 32 hours a week at minimum wage, and get more than that according to my T4.

[ArgoGabe22]

speaking of her contract, wasn't she making less than minimum wage? 25k doesn't seem like much even if it was for only the length of the season. I work retail for 32 hours a week at minimum wage, and get more than that according to my T4.

That is why some don't jump at those job opportunities. I have heard in the past that a trainer can make on their own than what a pro team would offer, so many of them don't bother. It is why guys like Shea Pierre don't stick around long, especially when they run their successful business and can make more doing so.

[bluto]

speaking of her contract, wasn't she making less than minimum wage? 25k doesn't seem like much even if it was for only the length of the season. I work retail for 32 hours a week at minimum wage, and get more than that according to my T4.

Contract may not have been for a full year. Football season from May to November is only 7 months. We also don't know how many days or hours the position required.
If you were to prorate that $25k for a full year at full time, it may look a lot different.
Realistically though, it's a contract you'd likely only take as a newer professional. Looks good on a resume.