A former wastewater operator with the Township of Centre Wellington is suing the municipality for wrongful termination and alleged violation of the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The plaintiff, a Fergus resident, claims he was fired rather than being offered other available positions with the municipality following a disability leave of more than two years.
He’s asking the courts to award him $200,000 in compensation, along with special damages for expenses incurred while looking for a new job.
None of the accusations have been tested or proven in court.
Township officials declined to comment on the allegations contained in the lawsuit. No statement of defence has been filed at this time.
“The plaintiff states and the fact is that in June of 2023 he was capable of returning to work in many positions other than his pre-disability position of wastewater operations,” explains the statement of claim. “The plaintiff was unable to return to work as a wastewater operator due to the exposure to chemicals and raw sewage.”
He was terminated in August, notes the lawsuit, which was filed in Guelph on Jan. 4.
At the time he was fired, the township was recruiting for “several open positions” the plaintiff was capable of performing, in addition to having the education and work experience for, the lawsuit states.
