A former employee has filed a $523,000 claim with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for wrongful dismissal and personal damages.
Lisa Rundle, a former director for Penguin Canada, claims that the company terminated her employment following her complaints of sexual harassment by former president, David Davidar. The claim was filed one day after Penguin Canada announced that Davidar would be voluntarily resigning to further his writing career.
In response to Rundle’s filing, Penguin Canada acknowledged that Davidar had, in fact, been asked to leave, but did not disclose the reason. The company also contradicted Rundle’s claim of wrongful dismissal, stating that she had declined other internal career opportunities and left of her own accord.
For more information on this case, please see:
Globe and Mail (Sexual harassment suit rocks Penguin Canada, former CEO, by John Barber, June 12, 2010)
The Toronto Star (Penguin Canada head fired, faces sexual harassment suit, by Vit Wagner, June 11 2010)
CBC (Penguin boss accused of sexual harassment, June 12, 2010)