Stouffville mayor created an intimidating workplace for staff, investigation finds
The CSI-style wall created in an office washroom of the mayor of Whitchurch-Stouffville was “vexatious†and “disturbing to staff†and amounted to a “serious incident of workplace harassment,†an ethics probe has found.
In a highly anticipated report released late Friday afternoon, integrity commissioner Suzanne Craig’s findings say Justin Altmann’s wall — made up of photos of staff, colleagues and members of the public connected by black lines — affected the work environment, and his behaviour toward staff interfered with their ability to do their jobs.
“The respondent’s conduct in developing the wall created and contributed to an intimidating work environment for the complainant and other employees,†Craig wrote in her 30-page report. “I find that the respondent’s creation of the wall was discreditable conduct that fell below the decorum expected of his office,†she wrote.
However, Craig also wrote that Altmann “demonstrated an error in judgment†and not a wilful desire to cause harm or breach the town’s code of conduct. Moreover, Craig wrote that his conduct was misplaced but was not carried out in bad faith.
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