Following a complaint from Canada’s World Sikh Organization (WSO) over a controversial policy, the city of Toronto says it will ensure the contractors it works with accommodate all employees.
The city had been in the process of investigating troubling allegations made by the WSO and community members who said they had been discriminated against.
“These people’s lives have been thrown into chaos,” said Balpreet Singh, legal adviser to the World Sikh Organization Canada. “It has affected his salary, but it has also affected his immigration status, for example.
“So this is a really bad situation, and for it to happen in Toronto is mind-boggling.”
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Singh spoke to Global News on Monday afternoon before the city issued a formal statement pledging to take action.
The WSO said more than 100 people had been affected by a policy requiring guards at city-run sites to shave so they can properly don N95 respirators.
“It’s an impossible situation to have to choose between your faith or your livelihood,” Singh said.
In an email to Global News, Star Security Inc. President Jimi Bonotti said: “This is not a ‘clean shave policy,’ rather the policy requires subcontractors to wear N95 masks in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety”.
Bonotti added that his company had not fired or demoted any employees due to their failure to comply with city policies.
GardaWorld responded that employees must follow the health and safety guidelines set by each client.
“One of our customers required all employees working at their locations to wear a tested N95 mask to ensure its effectiveness,” the statement read.
“All GardaWorld employees who were unable to meet this health and safety customer requirement were offered other equivalent opportunities within the organizations until such time as this measure is lifted.”
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The city reviewed allegations that security guard contractors were not accommodating workers who have facial hair for religious reasons and cannot wear protective N95 respirators, which are still required by public health directives in congregate settings like shelters. and rest centers.
“The city itself has granted seven requests for accommodations to its own employees who have sought religious exemptions in sheltered settings and expects that such accommodations, if requested by contract employees, will also be granted by contractors to those employees,” it reads. a statement issued Monday night. .
He goes on to state that the city has ordered the contractors he works with to accommodate their employees who have applied for religious exemptions and to reinstate anyone whose employment has been terminated immediately.
“As part of its investigation, the City will review its legal options, including terminating the contracts of any contractor found to be in violation of City policy or human rights law. The City does not tolerate, ignore or condone discrimination, and is committed to promoting respectful conduct, tolerance and inclusion, always,” he continues.
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