R. Hartman

The complainant, a Spanish-speaking immigrant from Ecuador, alleged discrimination and harassment in employment on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, ethnic origin, and place of origin.

The Board of Inquiry found that the workplace was poisoned by discrimination against Spanish-speaking workers who did not speak English.

The owner and plant foreman regularly yelled at, insulted, and demeaned these workers, using their language and ethnicity as a basis for ridicule.

The complainant was fired following an altercation that was fueled by this racial and ethnic conflict.

The Board ordered the respondents to pay $6,000 for lost wages and $2,000 for mental anguish, and to implement a grievance procedure and human rights training.

The complainant, a black nude dancer, was hired for a one-week engagement at the respondent's club along with her white partner.

The respondent owner offered the white partner a return engagement but explicitly refused to re-hire the complainant because she was black and he did not want black clientele.

The Board of Inquiry found that the respondents discriminated against the complainant in employment on the basis of race and colour.

The respondents were ordered to pay $1,420 in special damages for lost wages and $2,000 in general damages for mental anguish.

The complainant, who is blind and uses a guide dog, alleged that the respondents discriminated against her by refusing to show or rent her an apartment.

The respondents attempted to discourage her interest and subsequently refused to allow her to view the apartment.

The Board of Inquiry found that both respondents infringed the complainant's right to equal treatment with respect to the occupancy of accommodation because of her handicap.

The Board awarded the complainant $660 for the rent differential and $2,500 for mental anguish.