A Dutton, Ont., employer has been fined $62,000 and ordered to pay more than $20,000 in unpaid wages after failing to comply with orders to compensate two employees who were terminated for asserting their workplace rights.
Shawn Roy Lightfoot, who operates The Project Kings recreational vehicle service from his home, was convicted June 19 on six counts of failing to comply with orders issued by an employment standards officer. The charges stemmed from his failure to pay wages owed to two employees and compensation for terminating them in reprisal for asserting their rights under the Employment Standards Act.
Court orders payment through ministry
Following an ex parte trial in Provincial Offences court in St. Thomas, Justice of the Peace Jason Voss ordered Lightfoot to pay the outstanding wages and compensation through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. The court also imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, which goes to a provincial fund to assist crime victims.
The case began with a complaint that led to a ministry investigation. Officials determined Lightfoot had failed to pay two employees for wages owed and terminated them for asserting their rights under the Employment Standards Act.
Multiple orders ignored
On Aug. 5, 2022, an employment standards officer issued four orders requiring Lightfoot to pay unpaid wages and compensation for the reprisals, totalling more than $20,000. The officer also issued two Notices of Contravention with penalties totalling $500.
Lightfoot did not comply with any of the six orders and did not apply for a review of the orders, according to the ministry. The offence date was listed as Sept. 13, 2022.
The $62,000 fine is separate from the wages and compensation that must still be paid to the affected employees.
