CANADA Saskatchewan Employer Fined $32,000 for Injuries to Workers

In addition to Workers Comp, Other Factors Related to Employee Issues Can Raise Company Costs

Even when workplace injuries or discrimination acts are not directly connected to workers’ compensation, they still may cost the employer additional expenses in fines and orders to provide more training in workplace safety.

Saskatchewan Employer Fined $32,000 for Injuries to Workers

An alleged pair of separate incidents leading to serious injuries to workers results in a $32,000 fine for Saskatchewan food company.

The company was charged after a 26-year-old worker fell from the top of a piece of equipment at its Saskatoon plant in 2007 and subsequently pled guilty to six charges under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

In a separate case, charges were handed down when a 27-year-old worker was injured by an exposed auger in January of this year.

According to government officials, the charges stem to the alleged lack of supervision for the workers and unsafe conditions around the machinery and equipment that were responsible for the injuries.

Business Fined More than $115,000 for Alleged Discrimination

A large mall retailer was fined $115,264 for alleged discrimination, after employees at the Mall of America store in Minnesota reportedly refused to allow a family member to accompany an autistic girl into the fitting room to try on clothes according to a report from Minnesota Public Radio.

The judge decided the girl suffered mental anguish as a result of the incident while shopping with her 17-year-old sister for school clothes when a store employee refused to allow the sister to accompany the young girl into the fitting room. The employee said corporate policy only allowed one person at a time into fittings rooms to reduce the possibility of theft. The clerk stilled refused even when told of the teenager’s autistic disability and that she could not be left alone.

The mother, after being called to the store by the older sister said she did not receive any assistance from the employee on the scene, a customer service rep and an assistant manager. Neither did she receive assistance following two letters to the retailer and several phone calls, before reporting the incident to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

An administrative law judge found the retailer discriminated against the 14-year-old girl, in violation of state statutes. The judge ordered the fine after the retailer repeatedly refused to respond to the daughter’s mother’s request for an apology and denied engaging in discriminatory practices.

The company was ordered to pay compensation of $25,000 for mental anguish; cover $41,069 in attorney fees; pay a $25,000 fine; and other expenses of $24,194 – a total of $115,263.00.

In addition, the company must display signs in close proximity to the fitting rooms in all Minnesota stores stating the fitting room policy, and explaining disabled customers can seek an exception. (workersxzcompxzkit)

The company was ordered to provide more disability training to employees, and review and revise its policies in relation to customers with disabilities.

The corporation has appealed claiming the fines are excessive.

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: [email protected] or 860-786-8286.

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