BC Ferries facing ‘culture of sexism’ allegations aboard one of its vessels
Allegations have been made against BC Ferries involving sexism and discrimination.
BC Ferries made an application to dismiss a human rights complaint from a former employee. While it did dismiss many of the former employee’s claims, the ‘culture of sexism’ allegation will proceed to a hearing.
According to the case doc from the BC Human Rights Tribunal, Erin O’Brien-Hornsey, the former employee, alleged that BC Ferries discriminated against her based on physical disability and sex. O’Brien-Hornsey claims that these realities led to the suspension and termination of her employment.
“She says a culture of discrimination emerged in the last 18 months of her employment,” the tribunal doc states.
O’Brien-Hornsey identifies as a woman with a disability. According to the tribunal, her disability is a neurological impairment, which leads to some physical limitations. She told the tribunal that the disability was the result of a workplace injury that was later deemed permanent by WorkSafeBC.
As a result, O’Brien-Hornsey receives a permanent partial disability pension.
While the tribunal dismissed the claims of what led to O’Brien-Hornsey’s termination, it did give some credibility to hear claims about the culture of sexism. The alleged culture of sexism was aboard one of BC Ferries’ cable car vessels, the Baynes Sound Connector (BSC). The BSC is a cable ferry, the only such vessel in BC Ferries’ fleet.
A culture of sexism
O’Brien-Hornsey made several allegations about the culture aboard the BSC. She told the tribunal that BC Ferries placed men on her crew who were known to be sexually inappropriate and had problems taking directions from women.
She had asked the crew not to use foul language or to make sexually inappropriate jokes on several occasions.
“A crew member told her that he would transfer if another woman were hired,” the court doc states.
She also claimed that people with less seniority and responsibility challenged and undermined her authority, leading to a toxic environment that was stressful for her as a woman.
BC Ferries said that it had investigated the concerns raised by employees on the BSC in late June 2019.
“BC Ferries says that during the BSC investigation it met with Ms. O’Brien-Hornsey several times and at no point did she allege that she was experiencing sexual harassment or otherwise experiencing discrimination based on sex. It also denies placing men on her crew who were known to be problematic.”
In response to BC Ferries, the BC Human Rights Tribunal said the transportation company did not specify what steps it took to address concerns, nor did it provide any details about the steps it took “to investigate or address the other allegations related to a culture of misogyny and disrespect for women on the BSC.”
“BC Ferries says that all of the complaints were investigated thoroughly and produced copies of handwritten investigation notes in support of this position. I observe; however, that BC Ferries did not produce a report or other summary of relevant findings and actions taken, if any,” the tribunal said.
The tribunal added that it was not persuaded to “dismiss” that aspect of O’Brien-Hornsey’s complaint, particularly about specific concerns regarding men on her crew using inappropriate language, not taking direction seriously, and undermining her leadership.
It remains to be seen what comes of the next hearing regarding the alleged culture of sexism on the BSC.