STORY 58

In 2009, I signed an NDA. I didn’t know what the document was or what I was signing. I had no lawyer and was diagnosed with PTSD because of workplace sexual harassment, bullying and rape. Human Rights of [province] said I had to sign to get some money. A Provincial program told me I had to cash in savings and pay the penalty, or I couldn’t get any money from this provincial program to pay my rent.

I was not given any time to negotiate the NDA. I tried to understand the processes of a provincial  Labour Relations Board and Human Rights Tribunal, but I could not find a lawyer and fell through the cracks in the system. My PTSD became worse. I experienced anxiety, made two suicide attempts and was afraid to leave my apartment. I never returned to full-time employment, and my 10-plus-year career as a skilled tradeswoman ended.

  had to apply multiple times to get government support. I did everything right to keep my job, but I was terminated. The man who raped me was well connected. The union told me to fill out a grievance and never supported my grievance. I worked with women and men who were bullied the same as myself. In 2022, I continue to meet women who walk off their job with the employer because of workplace sexual harassment and bullying.