STORY 51

I was hired in a municipal public works department. The guys did not want to have a woman work with them. I was told they have ways to get rid of someone they don’t want to work with, that if I want a man’s job, I have to work like a man and to go back to the office where I belong.

Discrimination, harassment, and fear were a way of life for me. I became nervous, lost my confidence, became anxious, tried going to Human Rights Commission but was put on delays for six years. I was asked to divorce myself from public works by a provincial authority and take a job in administration only to have it start all over again. Complained to Human Rights again about two directors, they quit. Finally, my lawyer told me she wouldn’t represent me anymore if I didn’t sign the disclosure agreement and settlement.

After years of battling for justice, I gave up. I had nothing left. I didn’t even read what I was signing. I heard her talking but wasn’t listening. I was shocked that I was losing a battle I had fought for so long, a job and my career. I couldn’t function, work or trust people anymore. I lost my life, confidence and independence.

When I heard about this movement, I thought something was happening to help people in my position. We need help. Disclosure agreements should be able to be taken back for justice, victims’ sanity and their ability to move on from horrible circumstances that were no fault of their own.

Bullies and liars should not win!