A SUPERIOR'S CRITICISM OF AN EMPLOYEE'S PERFORMANCE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PSYCHOLOGICAL HARASSMENT

An employee alleged that she was subjected to many years of psychological harassment from her superiors. The evidence showed that the employee had difficulty doing her work in compliance with company standards, causing her superiors to ask her repeatedly to adhere to the delivery schedules and standards. According to the arbitrator, these requests were justified and were non-confrontational in nature. If the employee believed the employer was violating the collective agreement, she should have filed a grievance, rather than wait to file a complaint of harassment. While the superiors did not necessarily handle the employee with kid gloves, there was no evidence of inappropriate behavior, lacking compassion, arbitrary in nature or disrespectful of the employee. Consequently, the complaint was rejected. Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canadian Post Corporation, DTE 2007T-131 (A.T.) Marc Gravel, Attorney