Employment lawyer Aaron Levitin talks former Starbucks employee lawsuit with CTV News

Lisa Pedersen, a former Starbucks employee, is suing the coffee chain for wrongful dismissal.

Pedersen was diagnosed with terminal blood cancer while working at Starbucks in Airdrie, Alberta when she was terminated for allegedly violating  COVID-19 policies and food safety standards.

Aaron Levitin, an Alberta employment lawyer and Associate at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, is representing Pedersen. He spoke with CTV News about the consequences of the termination and the damages she is pursuing.

Levitin explained that Pedersen is seeking various damages from Starbucks Canada including lost pay, loss of benefits and life insurance entitlements, as well as punitive damages.

She is also seeking damages due to the bad faith manner of termination and failure to adequately adjudicate her termination appeal.

Learn more about health and disability benefits
• Cancer and long-term disability claims
• Critical illness claims

“This is really a tragic situation for somebody who’s been awarded Partner of the Quarter, who did her utmost to make sure that stores were open when they were struggling,” said Levitin.