Bell Canada was ordered by the court to pay more than $121,000 to an employee who the court said was fired “recklessly and willfully” while battling cancer.

Glenn Luckman joined the company in May 2016 in a leadership role. In December of that year, he was diagnosed with cancer.

He discovered that the cancer had returned on April 8, 2017. A few weeks later, on April 26, Luckman’s father, for whom he was the sole caregiver, also died. He took five days of bereavement leave and returned to work.

Luckman admitted his cancer symptoms impacted his work at Bell and impaired his focus and ability. He frequently had to take time off from work to attend medical appointments, and he suffered from low energy, irritability, stomach pains and stress.

In May 2017, a month after his father’s death, Luckman went on sick leave, which lasted until November. Although he returned to work on time, he was fired on December 6.

Luckman filed a human rights lawsuit against Bell Canada, claiming the dismissal was unfair because it was based on his illness and the effects of his father’s death. But Bell Canada countered that the manager was instead fired as part of a “corporate restructuring”.

Hearings began in court in May last year. Now a decision has been made.

“Mr. Luckman’s claim for lost wages is justified and I order the Respondent to pay $91,052.40 in lost wages,” said Alex G. Pannu, the tribunal member who issued the decision. final.

“In addition, Mr. Luckman is entitled to $15,000 for pain and suffering and $15,000 for the respondent’s willful or reckless conduct.”

According to court documents, additional interest will also apply to all of these amounts.