Employment Lawyer on Governor General Julie Payette’s Resignation After Harassment

Governor General Julie Payette is resigning following the completion of a high-profile review into allegations of a toxic workplace at Rideau Hall, which sources say painted a ’scathing’ portrait of the atmosphere staffers found themselves working in.

“Payette’s rumoured, and apparently corroborated, treatment of staff would be just as inappropriate in any workplace as it is in the halls of government,” says Employment Lawyer Lior Samfiru, Partner at employment law firm Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

“This saga should serve as a powerful reminder to employers that workplace harassment is illegal, and failure to properly respond to and quell instances of harassment can result in serious repercussions. Employees should also be reminded that they do have options, rather than endure ongoing harassment at the hands of a coworker or manager.”