Newmarket-Aurora MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy is facing an accusation of having a “toxic work environment” at her constituency office, according to a legal filing from a former constituency manager.
Teena Bogner has applied to the Ontario Labour Relations Board, seeking legal remedy after allegedly being fired for human relations concerns. In a "statement of facts" submitted to the board, Bogner said Murphy had “erratic and hostile behaviour” toward her. After Bogner brought her concern to the PC Caucus Services, she was terminated for an “untenable work environment” in June.
None of the allegations have been tested or proven at the labour relations board. A hearing is scheduled for February 2025.
Gallagher Murphy’s office declined to comment and said “the member will not comment on HR matters.” Bogner also declined to comment.
According to the statement of facts submitted to the board by Bogner’s representation, she accepted the position of constituency manager commencing April 9. The application said Bogner had to address “administrative tasks that had been neglected for several months” and improve “professional decorum and morale within the office, which had experienced significant staffing changes.”
But conflict began during a constituency week, April 29 to May 3. While the member scheduled meetings to address “previous disorganization and missed meetings,” Gallagher Murphy was also working on stakeholder meetings for a private members bill, according to the legal filing. Bogner was unaware of the stakeholder meetings, scheduled by an executive assistant who was on vacation that week.
Gallagher Murphy “expressed frustration” with the busy schedule, directing that at Bogner, the application said.
The next week, during a constituency tour with the premier May 10, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor indicated he would attend, even though the tour was intended to be confidential. The filing claimed that Gallagher Murphy “became agitated,” “incorrectly assuming the applicant disclosed the tour details.”
“This led to an unpleasant and uncomfortable exchange between the member and the applicant,” the filing said.
The filing said throughout that day, Gallagher Murphy displayed “passive aggressive behaviour” to Bogner, culminating in a “disruptive interaction” at the company, TS Tech, with Gallagher Murphy expressing displeasure to the TS Tech human resources director and premier’s staff, “leaving the applicant to apologize and mitigate.”
The application also claims Gallagher Murphy asserted that as Bogner was a managerial contract worker, Bogner was not entitled to overtime or time in lieu “despite the applicant’s extensive overtime work.”
Ultimately, Gallagher Murphy terminated Bogner without prejudice June 10. The application said this happened after Bogner reported the workplace conflicts to PC Caucus Services.
The application said it is illegal for an employer to terminate an employee “for reporting workplace harassment. Reprisals or retaliation are strictly prohibited under employment law.”
It also said employers must have a harassment policy and procedures for handling harassment complaints, and the party is prohibited from making adverse changes to an employee’s job conditions “in response to the employee exercising their workplace rights.”
Finally, the application argues that the actions of Gallagher Murphy and PC Caucus Services “constitute violations of the applicant’s employment rights and are actionable under relevant human rights and employment legislation.”
NewmarketToday will follow this story as it is processed through the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
