SEXUAL HARASSMENT STILL A PROBLEM IN THE WORKPLACE

Released on January 13, 1999

Today the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission announced the

settlement of three complaints of sexual harassment in employment.

The complaints, by two women and one man, were from Regina, Tisdale

and Indian Head.



"Sexual harassment is still a major problem in a wide variety of

Saskatchewan workplaces," said Donna Scott, Chief Commissioner and

Director of the Commission. "Every employer is responsible for

ensuring the workplace is a safe environment, free from sexual

harassment and other forms of discrimination."



Darlene Pekrul was employed as a cook and houseparent at the farm home

of the Orange Benevolent Society of Saskatchewan in Indian Head from

August 1995 to February 1996. In March 1996, she filed a complaint

against the society and Leonard Huntley, her supervisor at the farm

home. Pekrul alleged that Huntley sexually harassed her during the

last four months of her employment by making unwelcome sexual comments

and touching her in a sexual manner.



Pekrul also alleged that, when she complained about Huntley's conduct

to the society, she was terminated. The Orange Benevolent Society

agreed to pay Pekrul $10,369 for lost employment income and $5,000 for

injury to feelings and self-respect. Huntley agreed to pay the

complainant $1,200 compensation. Both respondents agreed to settle

Pekrul's complaint without any admission of liability.



Lawrence Hrenevich worked as an assistant funeral director at

Barron's Funeral Chapel in Tisdale under the supervision of John

Barron from September 1994 to August 1995. In his complaint,

Hrenevich alleged Barron sexually harassed him during the course

of his employment through sexual touching and unwanted sexual

remarks and requests. Barron paid Hrenevich $3,500 for injury to

feelings and loss of self-respect, without any admission of

liability.



Alana Ingram was employed in Regina by Crown Life Insurance

Company as a claims supervisor from January 1993 to November

1994. In her complaint against Crown Life, she alleged that her

male supervisor sexually harassed her by making crude sexual

comments that degraded her as a woman. The supervisor left Crown

Life's employment before Ingram filed her complaint. Without

admitting liability, Crown Life agreed to pay Ingram $5,000 as

compensation for injury to feelings and loss of self-respect.



"We are committed to preventing sexual harassment as well as

resolving individual complaints," said Scott. "The commission

requires all employers with approved equity programs to establish

anti-harassment policies. In addition, the commission provides

presentations and educational materials on sexual harassment

whenever possible."



Section 16 of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code prohibits sexual

harassment in employment. In 1997-98, the commission received 25

complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace, accounting for

22 per cent of all employment related complaints.



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For more information, contact:



Donna Scott

Chief Commissioner/Director

Saskatoon

Telephone: (306) 933-5952