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The Manitoba Inuit Association (MIA) recently announced that an independent investigation it commissioned found “no evidence of a toxic workplace nor financial impropriety” and reported that “overall, employees expressed satisfaction with their work and the organization,” according to a statement released by the association.
This announcement follows a tumultuous period during which the MIA faced three investigations from Workplace Safety and Health and allegations from current and former employees regarding “multiple incidents of bullying, intimidation, aggression, harassment, and abuse.”
In the previous summer, a significant upheaval within the MIA occurred when six out of eight board members resigned. The reasons for their departures have not been publicly disclosed, although they coincided with investigations into the association by Workplace Safety and Health.
As of now, the MIA has not responded to inquiries regarding whether any board positions have been filled since those resignations.
During the fall investigations, Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health found instances of misconduct within the association. One letter from Workplace Safety and Health to an employee who had lodged a complaint indicated that the MIA violated Section 42 of the Workplace Safety and Health Act by terminating the employee after he raised concerns about violence and intimidation.
The investigation also highlighted communication issues within management, describing it as “misleading” and riddled with “inconsistent statements and a lack of clarity leading to confusion.” The report concluded that the complainant had indeed experienced harassment.
Section 42 of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act is designed to safeguard employees from retaliation in the workplace.
In response to the findings, the MIA has appealed both decisions citing wrongdoing, with one appeal now withdrawn and another set to be heard on May 21. Meanwhile, the association engaged Wolseley Law to conduct its own evaluation of the workplace environment.
An executive summary from the Wolseley Law report shared with Global News states that while there are ongoing issues that may persist, the MIA is not currently a toxic workplace. It underlines the importance of proactively addressing employee concerns, building trust among staff, and fostering a respectful work environment to better serve the Inuit community.
The MIA declined the opportunity for interviews but emphasized in their news release that misunderstandings surrounding the exits of two staff members have contributed to perceptions of retaliation. However, they stated that no solid evidence of actual retaliation was discovered.
The Wolseley Law report further recommends enhancements in internal communication, clearer performance expectations, and stronger human resources policies to cultivate a more respectful and supportive workplace culture.
Board president Michael Kusugak expressed commitment to maintaining an encouraging environment, asserting that the organization remains focused on its mission of serving the Inuit community throughout Manitoba.
The Manitoba Inuit Association functions as a cultural service entity for the thousands of Inuit residing in Manitoba, offering support for working, studying, and accessing health services.
Source
globalnews.ca