Global Affairs Canada was found to have engaged in “gross mismanagement” in the manner it handled complaints about a senior employee accused of hurling things, making fun of coworkers, and even pushing and slapping someone.
The executive director was found to have yelled in the workplace and to have once referred to a team member as a “terrorist colleague,” according to a report from Joe Friday, the public sector integrity commissioner, that was presented to Parliament today.
The watchdog’s findings, which was made public Monday, found that the department handled the allegations improperly, including by pledging an action plan that was never implemented.
It claims that despite continuing to make derogatory remarks about staff members’ weight and once referring to a training session as a “concentration camp” in conversation with a Jewish coworker, Global Affairs Canada promoted the executive.
According to the report, the executive said during the public sector integrity commissioner’s investigation that she took the earlier conclusions seriously and was making a concerted effort to change, but the investigation looked at evidence suggesting the behaviour had persisted.
At response to the report, Global Affairs Canada announced that it will start a new disciplinary procedure, evaluate the working environment in the involved branch, and intensify ethical instruction.
Mismanaged executive who slapped staff and made fun of colleagues at Global Affairs Canada: watchdog
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