Toronto Western Hospital Blamed Victim For Racist Sexual Abuse???

What's with all of these workplaces condoning the racist and sexual abuse of their employees by their co-workers and superiors these days?

In this case, a young black female worker, Stacey Walker, at the Toronto Western Hospital was sexually harassed by 3 of her male superiors, and was also a victim of harsh racism, and when she reported it, her claims were dismissed by her bosses saying the abusers were harmless. In one case, when she reported it to the HR department, they told her that she had a problem, and should take an assertiveness workshop...

And again, like in the case at the Mississauga Transportation and Works Department, these 3 criminal scumbags are being protected by their employer, and it's the victim who is on leave... The hospital is still saying that there may be disciplinary action, not confirming that the abusers will even get punished. Instead, talking about a "healing and counselling" process for the abusers and department (given that the victim does not plan to return after the betrayal by Hospital Management).

This is another clear case where abusers are defended by the employer, and victims are dismissed. The 3 abusers should be fired immediately, and should have criminal charges pending. The HR worker who failed to assist the victim, should also be fired immediately. I mean, what is HR there for if they're just going to dismiss the victim, and defend the abusers? University Health Network President Robert Bell should resign immediately in disgrace for allowing this conduct to go on at the hospital.

Here's the story from the Toronto Star:

Hospital worker was taunted, sexually harassed

A young black woman working in the medical imaging department at Toronto Western Hospital was sexually harassed and the object of racial taunts in what a hospital investigation concluded was a “poisoned work environment.”

Stacey Walker maintains her complaints were ignored for 16 months until a senior hospital official stepped in. Now, Walker says she has been told by another official that she can either have three months pay and leave, or return to the same job.

Walker, 28, a medical imaging technologist, is breaching a wall of secrecy by speaking about her case in hope that the hospital, part of the University Health Network, will make changes to the way it handles sensitive complaints.

“Get up, give me your seat and go make me some stew,” one white technologist shouted, while standing threateningly “over” her, Walker recalled in an interview with the Star. In another instance, a different technologist showed Walker racially tinged cartoons while she was performing a CT scan on a patient, a procedure that carries a high margin of error.

Next, when she kept her composure, the technologist sang in her ear, Walker says, and followed her into another room to try again to rattle her.

Another imaging employee, Walker's mentor, had earlier massaged her shoulders without consent and said he wished she wasn't wearing a bra, the report confirmed.

That same employee who demanded she make stew, threw Walker's credentials badge on the floor and as she bent down to pick it up, whipped a bottle cap at her legs.

University Health Network President Robert Bell said in an interview Friday he could not comment on the results of the confidential investigation. Bell said the matter will be concluded in the next few weeks and while there may be disciplinary action, there will also be “healing and counselling” needed in the busy department.

An immediate boss tried to convince Walker that the senior technologist was harmless.

A senior human resources manager suggested she take an assertiveness training workshop offered online on the hospital's intranet. That same manager told Walker she would probe the situation, first by getting in touch with the senior technologist, but never did.

Taunts, lies and abuse reached a fever pitch several times over almost two years, Walker says. Some coworkers were kind to her, but many would turn their heads when she entered a room. A fellow female X-ray tech would remark if there was another man present: “Oh Stacey, don't worry. He's safe.”

Rumours spread, some nasty. One of Walker's coworkers told others that she killed a patient, she says.

Coworkers called Walker names, such as Shaniqua, Chaka Khan, La Toya and “dark walker.” In the report, employees are quoted saying the latter referred to her “evil . . . persona,” not the colour of her skin.

Unless the abusers, the people who let it continue, and Management who ignored it are made accountable for these crimes, one can't expect that things will change...

Let's see if things end up any better than the complete an utter failure of the Mississauga Mayor, Peel Police Department and Department of Labour in the Domenic Galamini case...

--jackandcokewithalime


(Image:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sillygwailo/3633864156/sizes/l/ by sillygwailo on flickr
)