WestJet to pay $4.5 million to settle sexual harassment class action
WestJet will pay $4.5 million to settle a sexual harassment class action involving 3,452 flight attendants.Summary
WestJet has agreed to pay $4.5 million CAD to resolve a decade‑long sexual harassment class action filed by 3,452 female flight attendants, a settlement approved by a British Columbia judge after months of negotiations. The lawsuit, launched in 2016 by former WestJet attendant Mandalena Lewis, alleged the airline failed to provide a harassment‑free workplace; Lewis claimed she was assaulted by a pilot during a 2010 layover in Hawaii and that the company’s response was inadequate. The agreement does not require an admission of guilt or mandatory anti‑harassment training for pilots. WestJet said it is "pleased to have reached a mutually agreed upon settlement" and will commission an independent workplace inquiry into harassment and reporting practices. Lewis expressed disappointment, stating, "We didn’t get justice here," while the airline emphasized its commitment to strengthening safety, wellbeing, and a culture of empowerment.
(Source：The News International)