"UNQUESTIONABLY
qualified for this high
office… she will be an
excellent governor general." So said Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau in announcing that
Julie Payette, a former astronaut, would take on
the esteemed position in 2017.
Three-and-a-half years later, Payette quit
the position in January after claims of harass-
ment and bullying under her leadership led to
an independent report that unveiled a toxic
work environment, with allegations of "yelling,
screaming, aggressive conduct, demeaning
comments and public humiliations."
On the other side of the country, the CEO of
Royal BC Museum resigned in February after a
diversity and inclusion consultant described the
institution as a "dysfunctional and toxic work-
place — characterized by a culture of fear and
distrust."
And in Winnipeg in June, the president and
CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human
Rights resigned after allegations of sexual
harassment and racism at the workplace and
staff being told to censor LGBT content.
WWW.HRREPORTER.COM ISSUE 34.03.2021
THE NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
HR Leaders Talk
We talk to 5 HR execs to hear about
their 'crazy year' and plans for 2021
/16
COVID-19 and notice periods
Recent court decision provides
a glimpse of what's to come for
employee severance
/8
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE…
NARCISSISTIC LEADERS
Why do they keep popping up
despite their negative tendencies?
Stanford University researchers
offer their take /7
TOXIC COMMUNICATIONS
Discrimination and harassment
are migrating from the workplace
to work from home /12
HOME ERGONOMICS
People will need to work safely
if they want to see long-term
positive outcomes for their health
and well-being /24
> pg. 2
The unsavoury departure of Canada's governor
general cast a spotlight on the challenges of toxic
leadership. Thorough screening and effective
performance management are just some of the
ways that employers can prevent this behaviour
before it blows up, writes Sarah Dobson
Pandemic complaints
A worker demanding better safety
from his employer was fired and then
awarded $25,000 in damages
/36
Toxic leadership still
challenging employers
