The appellant employer appealed a trial judgment finding it wrongfully dismissed the respondent employee, who suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome.
The trial judge awarded 15 months' notice, a 9-month Wallace extension, $500,000 in punitive damages, and a costs premium.
The Court of Appeal upheld the findings of wrongful dismissal, the notice period, and the Wallace extension, finding the employer's order to meet with its doctor unreasonable and its conduct in termination high-handed.
However, the Court reduced the punitive damages to $100,000, finding the trial judge made palpable errors of fact regarding the duration and scope of the employer's misconduct, and reduced the costs premium.