Why Margaret left Laurier Life, to go to
work for AIG
Margaret worked at Laurier Life for over 9 years when the company was sold. When her
former supervisor at Laurier, Dolly Harrilal offered Margaret a position at AIG she
accepted with confidence, that she would have a better chance for job security. With the
change in ownership of Laurier, Margaret felt the future of her job was uncertain.
Margaret accepted the position at AIG and started employment there on October 30, 2000.Differences Margaret noticed between working at Laurier and AIG
Margaret noticed a difference in the atmosphere at AIG on the very first day she worked
there. She came home and said "I think I made a mistake by leaving
Laurier. A lot of people expressed their concerns of being over-worked." To
Margaret, the atmosphere at AIG appeared to be more structured towards maximizing employee
output under a strict time restraint without concerns for the individuals health or well
being.
AIG Relocation - New office
too confining for
healthy environment
The old office on Wellington Street was a large pod that comfortably held four employees.
The ventilation was excellent, and the office equipment was well spaced.
The new office on Yonge Street was a room half the size of
the old office, with no windows and totally inadequate ventilation. The room housed
three employees, three computers, a scanner, a fax machine and a copier, there was very
little room to move without bumping into a person or a desk. The room was very hot
continuously, and after much complaining another duct was opened up in air shaft, but it
made little difference. Finally a fan was brought in, it made conditions a little
easier, but the stuffiness caused headaches. Another, factor was the door had to
stay closed for a portion of the day, because of the security regarding handling the
money.
Employment period
In the spring of 2001 Margaret was diagnosed with the
disease "Lichen Planus". Her supervisor was
informed of her condition and that, Margaret was under the care of a dermatologist to
reduce the symptoms and prevent damage to the organs in her body and her nervous system.
At the same time (spring 2001) Margaret began working
an extensive amount of extra hours. Several months later, without warning Margaret was
called to a meeting and told she wouldn't be authorized for overtime pay. Yet, adequate
help to perform her duties was not supplied. Margaret took the stand that she would not
work without being paid. She continued to put in a solid effort to perform her duties but
there was not enough time in a working day to do so.
In February 2002 (exact date unknown - Friday staff
meeting) it was relayed to Margaret and other members of her department by Dolly that
overtime would be discontinued because of 9-11. Dolly also stated "that all
employees would have to stay on their own time to get their daily work
completed." Margaret did come in early and worked some of her lunch hour but
refused to work after her regular departure time. She was too tired and exhausted
because of the medication she was taking to control her "Lichen Planus."
Her supervisors continued to harass her to complete her
work on time but offered no constructive solutions. Margaret did work, through her breaks
and some of her lunch hour time was devoted to her job.
Despite the constant pressure of her supervisors, Margaret
never received any formal written or verbal communications from them, that her performance
was not satisfactory. However, Margaret has in her possession several memos, e-mails and
letters praising her for her work and co-operation from fellow employees. Including a
document dated June 7th, 2002. In this document (e-mail) sent by her supervisor is in praise of
Margaret for her efforts over the past year. Margaret is also awarded an extra half day
off with pay for her efforts.
On Friday June 21st 2002, I picked Margaret up at the go
train as usual when she returned from work. She got in my van and started to cry. She told
me that Dolly (her supervisor) suggested she quit and not risk the consequences of being
fired. Dolly told Margaret that if she didn't stay on her own time and get her work done,
that her next performance appraisal would be the worst in
AIG company history (click
here for e-mail dated June 25th) and that is all they would need to fire her. She also
told Margaret she would be lucky to get two weeks severance pay and no letter of
reference. Dolly also said Margaret would have to sign a letter agreeing to do the work on
her own time and that other employees had signed similar letters.
Monday June 24th, 2002 Letter to Mr. Peter
McCarthy (President) and Dolly Harrilal (Supervisor) AIG Life of Canada.
Margaret was upset the entire week-end and I thought she
was going to have a nervous breakdown. I couldn't talk to her about it. I left it alone
until Sunday night and I drafted a letter and she agreed to its contents and she handed it
in.
(Note: On review of the Employment
Standards Act website - It recommends that employees try to solve the problem.
All AIG had to do after Margaret gave them the letter was honour her rights granted by
law.
Tuesday June 25th 2002 - E-mail making
changes to Margaret's appraisal.
Thursday June 27th 2002 - Letter from Dolly
Harrilal
In this letter, items appear that are condemnable, malevolent and
are a direct assault on Margaret's character, nature and her stature which she considers
to be worthy of a high level of respect.
Friday June 28th 2002 - Letter to AIG - Demand
for Compensation
Their letter of June 27th, 2002 caused me to
become so angry, it was almost to a point I was considering violent ways to get even.
Instead I managed to control my anger and focused to find out why they would take this
position against my wife. I came to the conclusion they wanted her out because of her
health condition and or she would not work without being paid.
On June 28th, 2002 Margaret gave AIG a letter demanding
compensation for violating her rights under the Employment
Standards Act Ontario and the Canadian Constitution
July 5th 2002 Letter from AIG to Margaret - Threatening further disciplinary
action including termination of Employment.
Margaret was given the letter at about 11:40 am by Marjory C.
Mackay (Human Resources Manager) at AIG. Margaret went for lunch and phoned me from a
phone booth. She was very upset about the letter. I told her to come home. She went back
to the mail room picked up her personal belongings and told Dolly she was going home
because she wasn't feeling very well. |
