Impatience and a directive tone do not amount to harassment

A foreman complains of psychological harassment from his two superiors. He alleges that he was humiliated and yelled at during some follow-up meetings with them. His version is contradicted by his superiors and by the employer’s other witnesses. Indeed, they testify to many of the complainant's deficiencies and the fact that expectations of him were repeatedly explained to him, without any acknowledgement or improvement on his part. The court recognizes that there may be animosity and that the tone may have escalated from time to time. The court, however, agrees that it is neither unusual nor exceptional for a superior to show signs of impatience or weariness in the context of an employee’s refusal to acknowledge his faults. Although the complainant may have felt disturbed, shocked or even humiliated, there is nothing to indicate that the superiors’ interventions were vexatious conducts. The complaint is dismissed.  

Maties et Société de transport de Montréal
2022EXPT-1457, 2022 QCTAT 2609 (DRT), j.a. François Beaubien