Sexist harassment: he invites her to go do people’s nails!

A bricklayer filed a complaint for psychological harassment and constructive dismissal. She complains about having been treated differently and penalized because she is a woman and to have been forced to work in an environment that is toxic and hostile towards her on construction sites. The evidence showed that the foreman was yelling, swearing and belittling the work of the plaintiff and he was assigning her tasks that were demeaning and subordinate. He expressed hostility toward women’s presence in the profession by criticizing her out loud in front of other workers present on the construction site and made paternalistic remarks going as far as suggesting her to go do people’s nails. According to the tribunal, the employer failed its obligation to take reasonable measures to prevent the harassment. In addition to having to pay compensation for loss of employment, the employer is ordered to pay the plaintiff the amount of $15,000 as punitive damages.

Association canadienne des métiers de la truelle (local 100) and Maçonnerie M. Demers inc.
2025EXPT-929, 2025 QCTA 115, M^e Francine Lamy