December 14, 1999
(Justice)

The following is being distributed at the request of the Human Rights Commission:

Board of Inquiry, Wednesday, December 15, complaint against Networth Management

The Human Rights Commission reports that a Board of Inquiry will commence on Wednesday, December 15, into a complaint filed with the Commission against Networth Management and Robert Patten of Labrador City.

A complaint was filed with the Commission in January 1999 by Jeannine Winter of Wabush. Ms. Winter's complaint to the Human Rights Commission alleged discrimination in employment on the basis of sex. Ms. Winter says she was told by her employer, Mr. Patten, that there was no job for her when she was ready to return to work from maternity leave. Ms. Winter says Mr. Patten told her that he would not lay-off her maternity replacement and there was no job for her to return to. Mr. Patten denied the allegation saying he was restructuring his office and the person hired as a maternity replacement for Ms. Winter better suited his current requirements. The matter could not be resolved during the investigation and the Human Rights Commission ordered the appointment of a Board of Inquiry in September 1999.

The adjudicator for the complaint is chief adjudicator, Mary O'Brien, of St. John's. Barry Fleming will present the complaint on behalf of the Human Rights Commission. The hearing which is open to the public is scheduled to commence at 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 15, 1999 at the Two Seasons Hotel in Labrador City.

Media contact: Gladys Vivian, Executive Director, Human Rights Commission, (709) 729-2709.

1999 12 14 11:50 a.m.