Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

via PIPSC

Ottawa, June 20, 2008 – Federal public service employees have won a landmark victory before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. In a decision released today, the Tribunal ruled that the Treasury Board term employee policy was discriminatory.

Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada member Brigitte Lavoie filed the complaint before the Tribunal, alleging that the term employee policy discriminated against women who take maternity leave. The TB policy stated that term employees would automatically become indeterminate after three years of employment yet would not count the leave period.

The Tribunal ruled that the Treasury Board did discriminate by refusing to count the maternity leave period towards continuous employment therefore eliminating her chances of permanent employment and career advancement.

The Tribunal has ordered Treasury Board to count the leave period towards Ms. Lavoie’s continuous employment. It further ordered the Treasury Board to amend the policy to eliminate these discriminatory measures.

“This is significant for term employees. With this ruling, more employees will now be able to enjoy the benefits of the full terms and conditions of their employment in the federal public service and not be subject to gender discrimination”, said Michèle Demers, President of the Professional Institute.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada is a national union representing 55,000 professionals and scientists across Canada.