Former Assistant Fire Chief Suing for Wrongful Dismissal

[therealmanjit]

What a joke, this Deputy Chief had a sworn oath to protect the community and he risked his life and others by driving while impaired. Good riddance, West Kelowna did the right thing. Hopefully this lawsuit doesn't cost us taxpayers and they can get costs recovered defending this.

Why do fire fighters make so much money??? I'd love to make 100k and get 4 days on and 4 off, most of them have second jobs!

[508]

What a joke, this Deputy Chief had a sworn oath to protect the community and he risked his life and others by driving while impaired. Good riddance, West Kelowna did the right thing. Hopefully this lawsuit doesn't cost us taxpayers and they can get costs recovered defending this.

Why do fire fighters make so much money??? I'd love to make 100k and get 4 days on and 4 off, most of them have second jobs!

If you would like the job why haven't you applied?

[fall]

It is very "clicky" and a lot of volunteer brown nosing to get in, it takes a special kind to be able to "apply".

[LANDM]

It is very "clicky" and a lot of volunteer brown nosing to get in, it takes a special kind to be able to "apply".

Really? What "kind" do you have to be to be able to "apply"?
I would think anyone could apply. If someone has years of volunteer experience, that should count as valuable experience, shouldn't it?

[therealmanjit]

An interesting article posted in the Cap News today

http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/262048501.html

Good riddance. Council had better be seeking costs against this menace.

[W105]

oh, so the facts are out and this is no longer "alleged rumors"...he took a fire district truck to go out for dinner, drinks and the casino, gets pulled over at 1:30am, gets a 90 dayer and the truck gets impounded and he thinks getting canned was not "just cause" ??? and now he wants to sue for his own personal stupid decision of driving drunk in a company vehicle...incredible...this man needs better legal advice...

[nextimeround]

Not entirely surprised he's having trouble finding a new job with his mentality. One thing to consider hiring someone who admits they made a mistake, another altogether when they compound their poor judgment with claims of entitlement.

[waterwings]

What if? I am so trying to say this without offending anyone or having any one read any accusations or allegations ...just plain common sense into what happens in a court of law....so here goes....what if a lawyer pleads that the employer knew or ought to have known there was dependency on gambling, food or alcohol and ignored the problem. That type of defense has worked in case law and the lawyer could be relying on that. Don't know .......Just Saying....

[John500]

Living in a world of entitlement no matter what the situation. A world gone nuts id he wins

[waterwings]

The Vancouver lawyer has an excellent reputation for these type of matters. You GO GIRL!

[gman313]

What a joke, this Deputy Chief had a sworn oath to protect the community and he risked his life and others by driving while impaired. Good riddance, West Kelowna did the right thing. Hopefully this lawsuit doesn't cost us taxpayers and they can get costs recovered defending this.

Why do fire fighters make so much money??? I'd love to make 100k and get 4 days on and 4 off, most of them have second jobs!

Perhaps a lesser form of discipline would have been appropriate. What have they done in similar circumstances, what does the common law say about this sort of thing.

I am sure it is more of a suspension warranted than immediate discipline.

Employment law is very grey and different than the court of opinion. I would have talked to my lawyer before I fired him.

[Steve-O]

Ok. Two sides to every story gman. Good point you raise. I'm hoping the fellows case gets punted out of court. How does it work in private industry: I know for my job I would lose it if I lost my license. Friend has a work truck and he was told he would be terminated if the truck with company logos is even seen at a bar or pub, whether or not he is drinking. Others may have different experiences but this is what I know.

[gman313]

Ok. Two sides to every story gman. Good point you raise. I'm hoping the fellows case gets punted out of court. How does it work in private industry: I know for my job I would lose it if I lost my license. Friend has a work truck and he was told he would be terminated if the truck with company logos is even seen at a bar or pub, whether or not he is drinking. Others may have different experiences but this is what I know.

My experience with this type of law is you have to have a policy and follow it consistently, whether private or public sector. Good policies will save you a lot of trouble down the road. Not actually sure in the case of the West Kelowna fellow but time will tell. That is why I said PERHAPS a lesser form of discipline would be appropriate.

I suppose thinking about it they probably do have a policy that any violation of the criminal code results in termination.

So if the company has a policy that you cannot use the truck at a bar of pub, then it is valid and your friend could probably be terminated for violating.

If there is no policy than common law would take over and any decision to uphold termination or not would be based on previous cases decided by the courts.

[cv23]

I suppose thinking about it they probably do have a policy that any violation of the criminal code results in termination.

I'm aware of a situation regarding an employee of a prominent [local employer] where the company found an illegal substance in the work van assigned to the employee. The employee was terminated on the spot and that was that.

[Ranger66]

“The employee was terminated on the spot”

If the action of the employee is deemed a gross misconduct then action needs to be taken immediately, suspension or termination. If the approximate situation has occurred in the past and been dealt with the employer has set a parameter to deal with the current action at hand. I am not a supporter of what this man has done but he is entitled to his rights.