Owner of N.S. Wendy's outlet accused of failing to protect staff from assailant
Two young women who worked at a Wendy's restaurant in Cape Breton have filed lawsuits against the owner of the fast-food outlet, alleging the company failed to protect them from a supervisor who was later convicted of sexually assaulting staff members.
The civil lawsuits say both plaintiffs were minors when the alleged offences took place in 2019 and 2020 inside a Wendy's in Sydney, N.S., owned and operated by T-Roy Enterprises Ltd.
The women allege in separate statements of claim that the company did nothing when they reported being repeatedly sexually assaulted.
One of the lawsuits was filed with the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on March 22, and the other was submitted to the court on Thursday.
The allegations have yet to be tested in court.
The company has submitted a notice of defence denying all of the allegations contained in the first lawsuit.
The women allege the supervisor continued to work with both of them after the company was told about the alleged sexual assaults and after a complaint was filed with police.
One plaintiff alleges the supervisor continued to sexually assault her until his arrest in August 2020.
Among other things, the lawsuits allege the company failed to suitably screen or train its employees and that it failed to monitor staff to "prevent and minimize the risk of sexual assault and sexual misconduct."
In its notice of defence filed June 11, T-Roy Enterprises states that the plaintiff in the first lawsuit was the subject of a number of written warnings alleging poor performance at work.
The notice says the plaintiff was fired for just cause in August 2020. It also asks the court to dismiss the court action.
The province's Public Prosecution Service confirmed Thursday that the supervisor, identified in the lawsuits as David MacDonald, has pleaded guilty in provincial court to five counts of sexual assault against five victims.
MacDonald is scheduled to be sentenced in Sydney provincial court on Sept. 21.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.