This week I participated in one of the many Grievance Settlement Board sessions that happen each year. I was asked to assist with a group grievance. The grievance was about the serious misuse of the internet and accessing inappropriate sites in the workplace.
The arbitrator deals with cases like this in the private sector and made it very clear to the employer and the union, that case law in this area is newer and still developing. He was direct in stating that there is little to no tolerance or sympathy for employees that engage at accessing inappropriate sites and materials at work. In most cases this kind of conduct results in dismissal.
The settlement saw a slight reduction in the overall discipline meted out to the members. A joint letter from the Assistant Deputy Ministers and the MERC members was written. The letter reaffirms our commitment to the spirit and intent of the policies regarding the appropriate use of information technology resources and Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention.
We all benefit when the environment in which we work is respectful of the individuals within it. This is something we are all committed to as activists in our workplaces.
In Solidarity,
Dan Sidsworth
