THUNDER BAY — An arbitrator has ordered Lakehead University to pay a former faculty member a total of $846,000 for terminating his employment without just cause.
Under the presidency of Brian Stevenson, the university administration fired the tenured professor in 2013 after a protracted period of interpersonal conflict between him, other faculty members and administration.
The Lakehead University Faculty Association grieved the termination on the man's behalf and sought his reinstatement.
After an inquiry that stretched out for three years, the arbitrator earlier this year upheld two short-term suspensions the professor had been given during the disciplinary process,
However, he ruled that his subsequent termination was an excessive disciplinary penalty.
The arbitrator chose not to require the university to reinstate the professor, on the basis that the workplace environment was "poisoned."
"It is patently obvious that the grievor does not trust University Administration or Human Resources, and that the University does not trust him," the arbitrator said.
Another hearing was held after LUFA and the university were unable to agree on compensation,
The arbitrator's decision, issued in late November, awarded the former professor salary and benefits for the period July 2013 to February 2018 totalling $639,000.
He also ordered the university to pay damages in lieu of reinstatement totalling $207,000.
The arbitrator noted that, given his age and his personal circumstances, "there is virtually no chance that the grievor will be able to secure employment in either his chosen field or at all. He is very unlikely to work again."
He directed the university to pay the damages within three weeks of his decision.
