J I N T H E MATTE R O F A N A R B I T RAT I O N B ETW E E N : T H E S CA RB O RO U G H H O S P I TA L A N D O N TA R I O P U B L I C S E RV I C E E M P LOY E E S U N I O N, LOCAL 5 7 5 AN D I N T H E MATT E R O F T H E G R I EVA N C E O F B. B U R G E S S O P S E U F I L E N O. : 0 t - 5 75-0 8 0 S O L E A R B I TRATO R : MAU R E E N K. SA LT MA N AP P EARA N C E S FO R T H E H O S P I TAL : CA RO L E E. C. H O G L U N D F O R T H E U N I O N : MA RY A N N E K U N TZ
A W A R D T he U n io n c la i m s t h a t t he Ho s p i ta l v io l a t e d t he co l le ct ive a g ree me n t i n fa i l i ng to ap po i n t t he G rievo r, B re nd a B u rg e s s, to t he po s i t io n o f fu l l - t i me Co re Labo ra to ry T e c h no log i s t, w h i c h s he o b ta i ned t h ro ug h a jo b po st i ng, efe ct ive J u ly 1 7, 20 00, w h i c h i s t he da te o n w h i c h t he ot he r s u c ce s sfu l ap p l i ca n ts a s s u me d t he po s i t io n. T he re wa s no d i sp u te t ha t a t t he t i me she wa s ad v i se d t hat s he ha d bee n se le cte d a s a s u cce s sfu l a pp l i ca n t o n t he job po s t i ng, t h e G r i e ve r wa s a b s e n t o n p re g n a n cy l e a ve. < T he p ro v i s io n s o f t he co l le ct ive ag reeme n t w h i ch be a r u po n a re so l u t io n of t h i s matte r a re t he fo l low i n g : A RT I C L E 3 - N O D I S C R I M I NAT I O N O R H A RAS S M E NT 3. 02 I t i s ag re e d t h a t t he re w i l l no d i s c r im i n a t io n b y e i t he r pa rty o r by a ny of t h e employe e s covere d by t h i s A g re e m e n t o n t h e ba s i s of ra ce, c re ed, co lo u r, na t io na l o ri g i n, sex, ma r i t a l sta t u s, age, re l ig io u s afi l ia t io n, se xua l o r ie n ta t io n o r a ny o t he r fa cto r w h i c h i s no t pe rt i ne n t to t he em p loyme n t re la t io n s h i p. ART I C L E 1 3 - J O B P O ST I N G, P RO M OT I O N A N D T RA N S F E R 1 3. 07 I n ma tte rs of p romo t io n a nd s t af t ra n sfe r, a s u c c e s sfu l ba rg a i n i ng u n i t ap p l i c a nt s h a l l be a l lowe d a t r i a l pe r io d o f up to s ixty ( 60 ) days (450 ho u rs fo r e m p lo ye e s w ho se reg u l a r h o u rs o f wo r k a re o t h e r t h a n t he s t a nd a rd wo r k d a y ) wo r k ed d u r i ng w h i c h t he I Io s p i t a l w i l l
2 dete rm i ne i f t he em p loyee ca n s a t i sfa cto ri l y pe rfo rm t he jo b. W it h i n t h i s pe r iod t he em p loyee may vo l u nta ri ly ret u rn, o r be ret u r ned b y t h e H o s p i ta l, to t h e p o s it i o n fo rm e r l y o c c u p ied, w i t h o u t l o s s of se n io r i ty. S ho u ld t he em p lo yee re t u rn o r be re t u r ned to h i s fo rme r jo b, t he fi l l i n g o f s u b se q ue n t va ca n c ie s w i l l be reve rs ed. A RT I C L E 1 4 - L EAV E S O F A B S E N C E 1 4. 0 5 ( a ) P req na ncy Leave ( i ) P reg n a n cy leave w i l l be g ra n ted i n acco rd a n ce w i t h t he p rov i s io n s of t he E mp loyme n t S ta nda rd s A ct, e xcept w he re ame n d e d i n t h i s ag reeme n t. A s we l l, t he fo l low i ng p rov i s io n s of t he Emp loymen t S tanda rds A ct a re re l eva n t to th i s ma tte r : PART X l V L EAV E S O F A B S E N C E P R E G NAN CY L E AV E G E N E RA L P ROV I S I O N S C O N C E R N I N G L EAVES 52. ( 1 ) Le n g th o f em p l oymen t. - T he pe r io d of a n emp loyee' s le ave u nde r t h i s Pa rt s ha l l be i n c l ude d i n ca l cu la t i ng a n y of t he fo l low i ng fo r t he p u rpo se o f dete rm i n i ng h i s o r he r r ig h ts u n de r a n em p lo yme n t co n t ra ct : 1. T he le ng t h of h i s o r he r of [s ic] em p lo ym e n t, w het he r o r no t i t i s a c t i ve e m p l o y m e n t. 2. T he le n g t h o f t he em p lo yee's se rv i ce w h e t he r o r no t t ha t s erv i ce i s a c t i ve. 3. I he em p lo yee's se n io r i ty.
3 (2 ) Excep t ion. - T he pe rio d of a n em p loyee ' s le ave s h a l l not be i n c l u d e d i n dete rm i n i n g wh eth e r h e o r s h e h a s com pleted a p ro b at io n a ry p e r iod u n d e r a n em p l o ym e n t co n t ra c t. 53. ( 1 ) Re i n s tateme n t. - U po n con c l u s io n of a n emp loyee' s l e a ve u nd e r t h i s Pa rt, t he em p loye r s h a l l re i n sta te t he e m p lo yee to t he po s i t io n t h e emp loyee mo st re ce n t l y he ld w i t h t he em p loye r, if i t st i l l e x i s t s, o r to a co m pa ra b l e p o s i t io n, if i t d o e s n o t. (2 ) Ex c e pt i o n. - S u b s e c t io n ( 1 ) doe s n o t a p p l y i f t h e e m p loym e n t of t h e e m p loye e e n d e d so l e ly fo r re a s o n s u n re l a te d to t h e leave. ( 3 ) Wage ra te. - T he em p loye r s ha l l pay a re i n s ta t ed em p lo yee a t a ra te t ha t i s eq u a l to t he g rea te r of, (a ) t h e ra te t h a t t h e e m p loye e m o st re ce n t l y e a r n e d w i t h t h e e m p l oye r ; a n d ( b ) t he ra te t ha t t he emp loyee wo u ld have b ee n ea r n i ng ha d he o r s he wo rke d t h ro ug ho u t t he lea ve. T he facts we re ag re e d to, fo r t he mo s t part, be twee l t he part i e s a s fo l l ows : 1. M s. B u rge s s i s a Med i ca l La bo ra tory Te ch no log i st w ho ha s b ee n em p loye d w i t h t he Ho sp ita l (Ge ne ra l D iv i s io n ) s i n ce O ctob e r 7, 1 996. 2. P r io r to t h e comm e n ceme n t of a ma te rn i ty l ea ve o n J u n e 1 9, 2000, s he wa s emp loye d i n a p a rt-t i me te ch no lo g i s t po s i t io n. 3. U po n re t u r n i ng from h e r lea ve o n De cembe r 1 8, 2000, s h e a s s ume d d u t ie s a nd cu r re n t ly rem a i n s a fu l l -t ime Co re Labora to ry Te c h no lo g i s t. 4. S he ha d s u cce s s fu l ly com pe t e d fo r o ne of fo u r fu l l - t ime Co re L a bo ra tory po s i t io n s po s te d i n J u ne 20 00. 5. T he po s i t io n s we re po s ted o n J u ne 1 5, 2000 w i t h a de ad l i ne o f J u ne 22, 2000. M s. B u rge s s wa s o ne of t h e app l i ca n t s fo r a po s i t io n. 6. J u ne 1 6, 2 0 00 wa s t h e l a s t wo rkday fo r M s. B u rge s s p r io r to t he com me n ceme n t o f t he m a te rn i ty le ave t h a t b e ga n o n J u ne 1 9, 2 00 0.
4. M r. Dav id W u, Ma nage r of H aem a to log y, i n fo rmed M s. B u rge s s by t e lep ho ne i n ea r ly J u ly t ha t s he wa s o ne of fo u r s u cce s s fu l ca nd i da te s fo r a pos i t i o n i n t h e Co re L a b o ra to ry.. T he ot he r i n cu m be n t s a s s u me d t h e i r new po s i t io n s efe ct i ve J u l y 1 7, 2 00 0. g M s. B u rge s s wa s e xp e c ted to be o n m a te r n i ty leave u n t i l J a n ua ry 2, 20 0 1. S h e c hose to re t u rn to wo r k D e c emb e r 1 8, 2 0 0 0 i n o rd e r to b e p a id fo r t he De cem be r 20 00 a n d Ja n u a ry I, 200 1 s ta t u tory ho l idays a s a fu l l -t ime emp loyee. 1 0. S h e wa s o n ma te rn i ty lea ve fo r 26 wee ks. D u r i ng t ha t t i me s he re ce ive d a S U B top u p fo r 25 we e ks pe r A rt i c le 1 405 of t he co l le ct ive ag reem e n t. 1 1. D u ri ng t he t ime M s. B u rge s s wa s o n m a te r n i ty leave s he not i fied t he Ho sp ita l t hat s he wa s e x p lo r i ng t h e po s s i b i l i ty of jo l:x sha r i ng t he fu l l t im e po s i t io n. I nd i v i d ua l s i n jo b s h a re po s i t io n s a re c la s s ified a s pa rt t ime. 1 2. M s. B u rge s s wa s ad v i se d ve rba l ly t h a t t he effe ct ive da te of he r ap po i n tme n t to t he fu l l - t i me po s i t io n ( s ho u l d s he ret u r n to wo rk i n to t he fu l l - t ime po s i t io n ) wo u ld be he r s ta rt d ate i n t he po s i t io n. 1 3. O n M s. B u rge s s ' ret u rn to wo r k o n De cem be r 1 8, 20 00, s he re q ue s te d a le e r from t he Ho sp it a l ' s H u ma n Re so u rce s Depa rtme n t re ga rd i ng he r t ra n sfe r to t he fu l l -t ime po s i t io n. By lette r da ted De cem be r 1 8, 2 000, s he wa s a d v i s ed t ha t t he efe c t ive d ate of he r t ra n sfe r to t h e fu l l t ime p o s it i o n wa s D e c emb e r 1 8, 2 0 0 0. 1 4. A s a re s u l t of a s s u m i n g t he fu l l - t ime po s i t io n, M s. B u rge s s ' Se n io r ity/s e rv i ce d a te a nd Rev iew/a n n ive rs a ry da te s we re a dj u sted to refl ect p ri o r pa rt-tim e s ervi ce. 1 5. 1 t w i l l be t h e Ho sp i ta l ' s po s it io n t h a t pa s t p ra ct i ce i n s im i l a r c i rc u m s ta n ces h a s b e e n t h a t t h e efe c t ive d a te o f a t ra n sfe r of a n emp lo yee to a new po s i t io n i s w he n t he em p loyee start s i n t h e po s i t io n. 1 6. 1 t i s no t d i s p u ted t ha t t h e re i s no s pe c ific w ri tte n po l i cy ex p re s s ly se tt i ng o u t t he p ro ce s s gove r n i ng t h e p ra c t i ce refe rred to i n 1 5 a bove. 1 7. T he Ho s p i ta l do e s h ave a Po l i cy w i t h re s p e c t to P reg na n cy Le ave t ha t w a s m o s t re ce n t l y re v i s e d i n A p r i l 1 9 9 9.
5 A pa rt from t he se a g reed fa ct s, t he ev ide nce i nd i cate s t ha t, a l t ho ug h t he G rievo r i nq u i red a s to t he po s s i b i l i ty of job s h a r i ng t he fu l l -t i me po s i t io n, s he n eve r a dvi sed t h e H o s p i ta l t h a t i t wa s h e r i n te n t io n to e n t e r i n to a jo b- s h a r i ng a rra ng e me n t o r a s ked t he Ho s p i t a l to loo k i n to jo b - s ha ri ng op port u n i t ie s o n h e r b e h a l f. A s we l l, a l t h o u g h b e n efit cove ra g e i s a va i l a b l e to fu l l - t ime e m p loye e s ( b u t no t to p a rt- t i me emp lo ye e s ), t he G r ievo r d id not a tte m p t to a ct i va te be nefi t cove rage w h i le o n p reg na n cy le ave. I t wo u ld a ppea r, howeve r, t ha t s he i s cove re d u n de r he r h u s ba nd ' s p l a n. W he n t he G rievo r i n q u i re d a s to t h e a cc rua l of va ca t io n leave, s he wa s ad v i sed t h a t s he wo u l d beg i n to a cc r ue va ca t io n e n t i t leme n t efe ct i ve t h e da te of t ra n sfe r to t h e fu l l -t ime po s it io n, w h i ch wo u l d ta ke p l a ce u po n he r re t u rn to wo r k from p re g na n cy lea ve. I n t h i s rega rd, H u m a n Re so u rce s Co n s u l t a nt, K i rs te n Lea c h, t e s t if i e d t h at t h e efe c t ive d ate of t ra n s fe r to a n ew p o s i t i o n i s t h e da te o n w h i ch t he emp loyee sta rt s wo rk i n t he po s i t io n, w h i ch a p p l ie s w he re a n e mp loyee i s i n a tte n d a n ce a t wo rk, b u t u na b le to sta rt wo r k i n t he po s i t io n i mm e d ia te l y ( pe r hap s be ca u se t he po s i t io n i s not imme d i a te l y ava i lab le) a nd w h e re a n e m p loye e i s a b se n t o n l e ave. M o re ove r, a l t h o u g h M s. L e a c h te st if i e d t h a t, w h e re a n employe e i s a b s e n t o n p re g n a n cy l e a v e, t h e p ra c t i ce h a s b e e n t ha t t h e efe ct ive d a te o f t ra n s fe r to a fu l l - t ime po s i t io n i s t he d ate o n w h i c h t he e mp loyee s tart s wo r k i n t he po s i t io n, t he P re s ide n t of t he Lo ca l U n io n, P a t ri c ia Co l l ye r, co u l d no t re c a l l a no t he r i n s ta n ce i n w h i c h o ne of t he s u c ce s s fu l a p p l i ca n ts o n a jo b po s t i n g wa s o n p re g n a n cy le a ve a t t he t i m e t he o t he r
6 s u cce s sfu l ap p l i ca n ts as s u med t he i r po s te d po s i t io n s. I n fa ct, M s. Co l lye r co u l d n ot re ca l l a n y ot h e r i n s ta n ce i n w h i c h a n emplo yee h a d b e e n awa rd e d a pos i t i o n p u rs u a n t to a jo b po st i n g w h i le t he e m p loyee wa s o n a n y type of le ave. Howeve r, M s. Le a c h made re fe re n ce to two pa rt-t ime emp loyee s, o ne i n t he C U PE ba rga i n i ng u n i t a nd t he ot he r i n t he O NA ba rga i n i ng u n i t, w ho ha d b ee n o ffe red fu l l - t ime po s i t io n s w h i le o n p re g n a ncy leave. A l t ho ug h bot h em p lo yee s a cce p ted t he ofe r of fu l l - t ime emp loyme n t, j u st befo re t he CU PE me m be r wa s s c hed u led to re t u r n to wo r k, s he ad v i sed t he Ho sp i ta l t ha t s he wo u ld be u na b le to as s u me t he po s i t io n d ue to d ifi c u l t ie s w i t h he r c h i ld ca re a r ra ngeme n t s. A s to t he o t he r em p loyee, M s. Le a ch te st ified t ha t s he w i l l a s s u me he r fu l l - t ime po s i t io n u po n h e r ret u rn to wo r k from p re g na ncy leave. F i na l ly, M s. Lea c h a c k now l e dge d i n c ro s s -e xa m i na t io n t ha t, ha d t he G rievo r not bee n o n p reg n a n cy le ave, it i s l i ke ly t h a t s he wo u ld h ave sta rte d i n t he fu l l -t ime po s it io n o n t h e same da te (J u l y 1 7, 2 0 00 ) a s t h e o t h e r s u c c e s s fu l a p p l i c a n t s. L T h e e v i d e n ce i nd i cate s t h a t e ve n a s l a te a s D e cem b e r 2 7, 2 0 0 0, t he G r ieve r' s name a p pea re d o n t he part-t ime se n io r i ty l i s t, a co py of w h i ch wa s se n t t he U n io n. Howe ve r, M s. Co l lye r c l a imed t ha t t he re we re e rro rs o n t he l i s t, a mo ng t h em, t he i n c l u s io n of t he G rie vo r' s name. A l t ho ug h t he e v i de n ce i n d i ca te s t hat s u ch e rro rs a re ge ne ra l ly d raw n to t he Ho sp i ta l ' s a tte n t io n a t La bo u r- Ma nageme n t Comm i ttee m ee t i ng s, i t i s u n c lea r w het he r t h e i n c l u s io n of t he G r ievo r' s name o n t he pa rt-t ime se n io r i ty l i s t wa s eve r d raw n to t he Ho sp i t a l ' s a tte n t io n. Nevert h e le s s, i t wo u l d a p p e a r t h a t t i le G r ie vo r' s s e n io r i t y re la t i ve to
7 Na ncy K ripa ro s, a no t he r of t he s u cce s sfu l a p p l i ca n t s, wo u l d not have c ha nge d e ve n i f s he had bee n ap po i n ted to t he fu l l - t ime po s i t io n a s o f t he d ate of t he o t he r s u c ce s sfu l ap p l i ca n ts. F i na l ly, a l t ho u g h t he co l le ct ive ag reeme n t p ro v i d e s fo r a 60 -wo rk i ng d a y t ri a l pe r io d u po n t he a s s u m p t io n of a new po s i t io n, M s. Co l l ye r te st ifie d t ha t t he G r ie vo r wo r ke d i n t he s a me po s i t io n o n a pa rt- t ime b a s i s a s s he obta i ned o n a fu l l - t ime ba s i s a s a re s u l t of t he jo b po s t i n g. M s. Co l lye r fu rt h e r te s t i fie d t ha t w he n em p loyee s t ra n s fe r from p a rt-t ime to fu l l -t ime st a t u s (o r v i ce ve rs a ) i n e s se n t i a l ly t he s a me po s i t io n, t hey ge ne ra l ly do not e x pe rie nce pe rfo rm a n ce - re la ted p rob lem s d u ri ng t he tria l pe riod. Fo r he r p a rt, M s. Lea c h d id not d i s pu te t ha t t he re wa s no c ha n ge i n t he na t u re of t he wo r k w h i c h t he G r ie vo r pe rfo rm ed u po n a tta i nme n t of t h e fu l l - t i me po s i t io n. S u bm i s s i o n s fo r t h e U n i o n T he U n io n su bm i tted t hat t he ev ide n ce s u p port s t he co n c l u s io n t ha t, b u t fo r t he G rievo r' s p reg n a ncy le ave, s he wo u ld h ave s tart ed i n t he fu l l - t ime po s i t io n o n t he same d ate a s t he o t he r s u cce s sfu l ap p l i ca n t s, i. e., J u ly 1 7, 2 000. T he U n io n fu rt he r s u bm i tted t ha t ( 1 ) t he Employmen t Standa rds A ct i s i n te n de d to p reve n t wo m e n who a c ce s s t h e p re g n a n cy (a n d p a re n t a l ) l e ave p rov i s io n s of t he A ct from be i ng p rej ud i ce d by ex pe rie n c i ng lo s se s d u r i ng t he i r pe ri o d of a b s e n ce ; a n d (2 ) i n th i s c a s e, t h e G r i e vo r s u ffe re d t h e los s of s e n i o r i ty a n d ot h e r be ne fit s a s a re s u l t of t h e Ho s p i t a l ' s fa i l u re to a p po i n t he r to t h e fu l l4 ime po s i t io n o n t he s a m e d a te a s t he o t he r s u c ce s s fu l ap p l i c a n t s. T he U n io n fu rt he r
8 s u bm i tted t h a t, a l t ho u g h it i s fo rt u ito u s t ha t t h e G rie vo r' s re la t ive se n io r i ty wo u ld no t ha ve c h a n ge d eve n if s h e had be e n ap po i n te d to t he fu l l - t ime po s i t io n a s of J u ly 1 7, 2000, a s soo n a s t he Ho s p i t a l fa i l ed to ap po i n t t he G r ie vo r a s of t h a t da te, s he bega n to lo se g ro u n d ' i n re la t io n to t he o t he r s u cce s sfu l ap p l i ca n t s. I n add it io n, s he wa s d e n ied a c ce s s to se rv i ce- b a sed be ne fi ts, s u ch a s v a ca t io n leave, a nd pa id ho l ida ys, to w h i ch o n ly fu l l - t ime em p lo yee s a re e n t i t le d. I t wa s fu rt he r s u bm i tt e d t ha t Art i c le 1 3. 07, w h i c h p ro v i d e s fo r a 60 wo r k i ng day t r ia l pe r io d u po n t he at a i nme n t o f a fu l l - t ime po s it io n, ca n no t be re l ie d u po n to c i rcu mve n t t he p rov i s io n s of t he Emp loyment S tanda rds A c t. Acco rd i ng ly, t he G r ievo r o u g ht to h ave bee n afo rde d t h e se n io r i ty a c c u m u l a t io n a nd ot he r be n efi t s p rov i ded to fu l l -t i me em p loyee s o n p re g na ncy le a ve, a s t he re wo u l d ha ve bee n no d ifi c u l ty re co n c i l i n g a ny be ne fi ts p rov ided i n t he eve n t t ha t the G r ievo r re t u rn e d to he r fo rme r po s i t io n. F i n a l ly, i t wa s s ubm i tte d t ha t t he t r ia l pe riod i s fo r t he b e n efit of t he em p lo yee a nd, a s t he G rievo r h a d b ee n do i ng " e s se n t i a l ly t h e s a me job o n a p a rt-t ime ba s i s a s s he obta i n ed o n a fu l l - t ime b a s i s, a s a p ra ct i ca l m a tte r, i t i s u n l i ke ly t h a t s h e wo u ld ha ve bee n re q u i red to ret u rn to h e r fo rme r po s i t io n. I n s u m ma ry, t he U n io n s u bm ited t ha t t he Ho sp i ta l o ug h t to h a ve a p p o i n te d t h e G r ievo r to h e r fu l l - t ime pos i t io n efe c t i ve J u l y 1 7, 2 0 0 0. S u bm i s s i o n s fo r t h e H o s p i ta l T he Ho s p i t a l s u b m i t ted t ha t t he e ffe c t i ve da te o f t r a n s fe r to a new
9 po s i t io n i s t he date o n w h i ch t he em p lo yee a s s ume s t he d u t ie s of t he po s i t io n. T he Ho sp ita l fu rt h e r s u bm i tted t ha t, by t ra n sfe rri ng t he G rievo r to t he fu l l - t i me pos i t i o n a s of D e c em b e r 1 8, 200 0, i t d e a l t w i t h h e r i n t h e s ame wa y a s a n y o t h e r emp lo yee a nd no t i n a d i s c r i m i n a to ry ma n ne r ba sed o n he r sta t u s a s a n em p loye e o n p re g n a n cy l eave. I n fa c t, h a d t h e t ra n s fe r b e e n effe c te d p r io r to t h e t i me t h e G r ievo r a ss ume d t he d u t ie s of t he fu l l - t i me po s i t io n, s h e wo u ld h ave be e n g ra n te d p refe re n t ia l t re a tm e n t b e c a u s e of h e r a b s e n c e o n p re g n a n cy l e a v e. F u rt he r to t he a l leg a t io n of d i s c rim i nat io n, t he Ho s p i ta l s ubm i tte d t h a t t h e a p p ro p r i a te comp a r i so n i s n o t w i t h t h e ot h e r e m p l oye e s w h o w e re a t wo r k a t t he t ime t h ey we re se l e cted a s t he s u cce s sfu l ap p l i ca n t s o n t he job p o s t i n g, b u t w i t h em p l o ye e s o n ot h e r t y p e s of l e a ve, w h o we re a l s o t ra n sfe r re d to t he i r new po s i t io n s a s of t he d ate s t hey a s s u med t he d u t ie s of t h e se po s i t io n s. A c co rd i n g ly, t he re i s no ba s i s u po n w h i ch to co n c l u d e t ha t t he G rievo r wa s d i s c r i m i n a ted ag a i n st i n re l a t i o n t o h e r t ra n sfe r to t h e fu l l -t ime Co re La b ora tory Te ch no l o g i st po s i t io n. F i na l l y, t h e Ho s p i ta l s u bm i tted t ha t t he Emp loym en t Standa rds A c t p rote cts em p loyee s ' r ig h t s i n t he po s i t io n s t hey he ld at the t ime t hey be ga n t he i r p reg n a n cy le ave. I t do e s not p rote ct emp loyee s i n po s i t io n s t h ey h a ve n o t ye t o b ta i n e d a t t h e s ta rt of t h e i r p re g n a n cy l eave. T he Ho s p i ta l fu rt he r s u bm i tted t ha t Art i c le 1 3. 07 re q u i re s an e mp loyee to se rve a t r i a l pe r io d u po n p romot io n o r t ra n sfe r to a new po s i t io n. We re i t o t he rw i se, a p a rt - t ime em p lo yee o n p reg na n cy l eave co u l d be a p po i n t ed
1 0 to a fu l l -t ime po s i t ion a n d ta ke adva n ta ge of t he a cc rua l of se n io ri ty a nd ot he r be n efi t s a n d t he n de c ide to retu rn to he r pa rt-t ime po s it io n o r no t to re t u rn to wo r k a t a l l. I n e i t h e r ca se, t he e m p lo yee wo u l d h ave re ce i ved t he b e nefit s a s soc i a ted w i t h t he fu l l - t ime po s i t io n w i t ho u t e ve r hav i ng wo rked i n t he po s i t io n. Mo reove r, a l t ho ug h t he U n io n seemed to s u gge s t t ha t t h e Ho s p i ta l co u ld re co n c i le a ny ove rpa yme n t s ma de to t he emp loyee, i t wa s s u bm i tte d t ha t the Employment Standa rds A c t p ro h i b i ts re cove ry i n t he se c i rcum sta n ce s a nd t ha t the re i s no 'p ro v i s io n i n t he co l le ct i ve ag reeme n t a l low i ng fo r s u c h re co ve ry. I n a ny eve n t, t he Ho sp ita l s u bm i tte d t ha t t he re wa s no leg i s la t ive i n te n t t ha t emp lo yee s o n p re g n a ncy leave wo u ld re ce ive p re fe re n t ia l t rea tme n t ove r em p lo yee s a b se n t fo r ot h e r re a so n s, e. g., em p lo yee s o n wo rke rs ' compe n sa t io n w h o a re a p po i n ted to t h e i r po s i t io n s a s o f t h e d a t e t h e y a s s u m e t h e d u t i e s of t h e po s i t io n s. Howe ve r, t he G rievo r d id re ce i ve se n io ri ty a nd ot he r be nefi ts, to w h i c h s he w a s e n t it le d a s a pa rt- t i me em p lo yee u nd e r t he co l le ct i ve a g reeme n t, u po n h e r ret u rn to wo r k from p reg na n cy le a ve. D e c is i o n T he i s s ue i s w h e t he r t he Ho s p i t a l v io l a te d t he co l le ct ive a g re eme n t i n t ra n s fe rr i n g t he G rie vo r to fu l l -t ime s ta t u s efe ct ive u po n t he da te of he r ret u rn to wo r k fro m p reg n a n cy l eave.
1 1 T he facts i n d i ca te t ha t t he G rievo r, w ho wa s em p loye d a s a p a rt t i m e Co re La b o ra to ry Te c h n o log i s t, a p p l i e d fo r a j o b post i n g fo r a fu l l -t i m e C o re L a bo ra tory Te ch no log i s t po s i t io n o n J u ne 1 6, 2000, w h i c h wa s he r l a s t day of wo r k p r io r to t he comme n ceme n t of he r p re g n a n cy leave. Some t ime i n e a r ly J u ly, t he G r ievo r wa s adv i sed t ha t s he ha d b ee n se le cted a s o ne of fo u r s u cce s s fu l a p p l i ca n ts o n t h e job po st i ng. Apa rt from t he G r ievo r, t he o t he r s uc ce s sfu l a pp l ic a n t s a s s u med t he i r po s i t io n s effe ct i ve J u l y 1 7, 2 000. T he G rievo r, o n t he o t he r ha n d, a s s u me d he r po s it io n u po n he r ret u rn to wo r k from p reg na n cy leave o n De cem b e r 1 8, 2000, w h i ch wa s t he efe ct ive da te of he r t ra n s fe r to fu l l - t ime sta t u s. N eve rt he le s s, t he U n io n c la i med t ha t t he effe ct ive d a te of t he G r ievo r' s t ra n sfe r to fu l l - t ime s ta t u s o ug h t to have be e n t he same a s t he ot h e r s u c ce ssfu l a p p l i ca n t s, na me l y, J u ly 1 7, 2000. I t s ho u l d be sta t ed, h oweve r, t h a t t h e re i s n o p rov i s io n i n t h e c o l l e c t ive a g re e m e n t w h i c h d e a l s w i t h t he efe ct ive da te of t ra n sfe r to a new po s i t io n a n d, i n pa rt ic u la r, w i t h t he efe ct i ve d a te of t ra n sfe r from p art-t ime to fu l l - t ime sta t u s. Nevert he le s s, t he U n io n cla ime d t ha t t he G r ievo r wa s p rej ud i ce d a s a re s u l t of a c ce s s i n g t h e p re g na n cy leave p rov i s io n s of t he Emp loymen t Standa rds A ct, re fe r red to i n A rt i c le 1 4. 05 of t he co l le ct i ve ag reeme n t. W i t h re sp e c t to p reg n a n cy le ave, i n p a rt i c u la r, t he Employmen t Standa rds A ct p rov i d e s fo r ( 1 ) t h e re i n s ta te m e n t of a n em p l o ye e, u po n h e r ret u rn to wo rk from p reg na n cy leave, to t he po s i t io n w h i c h t he emp lo yee he ld a t t he s t a rt of t he lea ve o r, i f t h a t po s i t io n no lo ng e r e x i s t s, to a co m pa rab l e po s i t io n ( S s. 5 3 ( 1 ) ) ; a n d ( 2 )
1 2 excep t fo r pu rpo se s of dete rm i n i ng w he t he r a n em p loyee ha s comp lete d he r p ro bat i o n a ry pe r iod, t h e i n c l u s i o n of t h e p e r i o d of p re g n a n cy l e a ve i n c a l c u l a t i n g t he le ng t h o f he r em p lo ym e n t, se rv i ce a n d se n io r i ty (S. 52 ). Howeve r, t he A ct doe s no t p ro te ct a n em p loyee i n a po s i t io n w h i c h s he h a s ye t to o ccu p y. F u rt he rmo re, t he A c t doe s no t s pe a k to t he effe ct ive da te of t ra n sfe r to a new po s i t io n o r i n a ny way va ry t he o rd i na ry ru le t h a t a t ra n sfe r i s d ee me d to ta ke effe ct o n t he da te o n w h i c h t he em p lo yee a s s u me s t he d u t ie s of t he new pos i t io n : s ee, e. g., A ir Cana da v. In tern a tiona l Assn. of Ma chin is ts and Aerospa ce Worke rs (Ma rk Grievan ce) [20 00] C. L. A. D. No. 1 60 ( M. G. P i che r). Neve rt he le s s, t he U n io n s u bm i tted t ha t t he G r ievo r wa s, i n effe ct, d i s c r imina te d a g a i n st b y b e i n g a p po i n t e d to t h e fu l l -t ime C o re L a bo ra to ry Te c h no log i s t po s i t io n u po n t he da te of he r ret u r n to wo rk from p re g na n cy le ave ( D e ce m be r 1 8, 2000) rat h e r t h a n o n t he da te o n w h i c h t he ot he r s u cce s sfu l a p p l i ca n t s a s s u me d t h e i r po s i t io n s (J u ly 1 7, 2000). Art i c le 3. 02 of t he co l le ct i ve a g reeme n t p ro h i b i ts d i s c r im i n a t io n o n t he b a s i s o f, amo ng o t he r m a tte rs, sex, w h i c h wo u l d i n c l u de d i s c r im i n a t io n o n t he ba s i s of p reg n a n cy : s ee Brooks v. Cana da Safeway L td. ( 1 989 ), 59 D. L. R. (4 th ) 32 1 (S. C. C. ) refe rre d to i n O. N. A. v. Orillia Soldie rs Memoria l Hosp ital ( 1 9 9 9 ), 1 6 9 D. L. R. (4 th )4 8 9 (O n t. C. A. ), 4 2 O. R. ( 3 d )6 92 (O n t. C. A. ), le ave to a p p ea l to S. C. C, refu s ed 1 6 9 D. L. R. (4 th )vi i, 252 N. R. 1 0 6n ( " O rillia Soldiers " ) ). I n o rd e r to de c ide w he t he r a n em p loyee h a s b e en d i s c r i m i n a t e d a g a i n s t ( i n t h i s c a s e, b y b e i n g t ra n s fe r re d i n to t h e fu l l - t ime p o s i t io n so me fi ve mo n t h s l a te r t h a n t he o t he r s u c ce s sfu l a p p l i ca n t s ), i t i s n e ce s s a ry to
1 3 ide n t i fy t he a p p rop ria te g ro u p fo r compa ri so n (t he " com pa ra to r g ro u p " ) : see Orillia So ldie rs. A l t ho ug h t h e U n io n s ugge sted t ha t t he ot he r su cce s sfu l a pp l i ca n t s wo u ld com p ri se t he compa ra to r g ro u p, I ca n not ag ree. Fo l low i ng t he rea so n i ng i n Orillia So ldie rs, a p u rpo s ive ap p ro a c h m u st be ta ke n to i de n t i fy i ng t h e a p p ro p r iate compa ra to r. A s t h e p u rp o s e o f a p po i n t i n g a n employee to a po s i t io n i s p re s u mab l y to e nab le t h e em p loyee to a ct u a l l y wo r k i n t he po s i t io n, t h e a pp ro p r ia te comp a ra to r, i n m y v iew, i s no t t he o t he r s u cce s sfu l a pp l i ca n t s w ho, u n l i ke t he G r ievo r, we re a b le to a s s u me t he d u t ie s of t he fu l l -t ime Co re La bo ra to ry Te ch no log i s t po s i t io n, b u t ot he r e mp loye e s w i t h i n t he ba rga i n i n g u n i t a s a w ho le w ho we re u na b le to a s s u me t he d u t ie s of t h e po s it io n s a t t he t ime t hey we re s e le cted a s s u c ce s sfu l a p p l i ca n ts, e i t he r b e c a u se t he em p lo yee s we re o n leave o r, i n t he ca se of em p loyee s w ho we re i n a tte nda n ce a t wo r k, be ca u se t he i r po s i t io n s we re not im med ia te ly ava i la b le, amo ng o t h e r re a so n s. T he q ue st io n w h i ch rema i n s i s w he t he r t he G r ievo r wa s d i s c r i m i n a t ed aga i n s t i n re la t io n to t he com pa ra to r g ro u p. I n t h i s rega rd, M s. Lea c h te s t i fied t ha t t he e ffe ct ive da te of t ra n sfe r to a n ew po s it io n i s t he da te o n w h i c h a n emp loyee s ta rt s wo r k i n t he po s i t io n a n d, fu rt he r, t h a t, i f a n em p lo yee i s ab se n t o n leave, t he t ra n sfe r i s effe ct ive a s of t he da te o n w h i ch t he emp lo yee re t u rn s to wo r k from leave. No tw i t h s ta nd i ng M s. Lea c h ' s ev i d e nce, M s. Co l lye r wa s u n a b l e to re ca l l a not h e r i n s ta n ce i n w h i c h a n employe e h a d b ee n awa rd e d a po s i t io n p u rs ua n t to a job po st i ng w h i le t h e em p loyee wa s o n a ny ty pe o f lea ve. Mo reove r, a l t ho u g h M s. Le a c h m a d e re fe re n ce to two i n s t a n ce s i n w h i ch pa rt
1 4 t ime emp lo yee s we re ofe red fu l l - t ime po s i t io n s w h i le o n p reg na n cy lea ve, t he re wa s no i nd i c a t ion t ha t t he se em p loyee s, w ho we re i n o t he r ba rga i n i ng u n i t s, we re t rea t ed a n y d ife re n t ly t ha n t he G rievo r ( t h e e v ide n ce b e i ng t h a t ne i t he r em p loyee wa s a p po i n ted to t he fu l l - t ime po s i t io n w h i le o n le ave ). I n a ny eve n t, t h e i s s ue h e re i s n ot w h e t h e r t he G r i evo r wa s d i s c r i m i n a t e d a g a i n st i n re lat i o n to o t h e r em p loye e s o n p reg n a n cy l ea ve, b u t w h e t h e r s h e wa s d i s c r im i n a te d a g a i n s t i n re la t io n to em p loyee s w ho we re u nab le to a s s u me t he d u t i e s of t he i r po s i t io n s a s of t he da te s o n w h i c h t hey we re se l e cte d a s s u cce s s fu l a pp l i ca n t s fo r t ho se p o s it io n s. A l t h o u g h t h e U n io n d id n ot a p pea r to b e awa re of t h e p ra ct i c e w i t h re spect to emp loyee s o n lea ve, i t wa s u n cha l le nge d t ha t em p loyee s w ho we re i n a tte nda n ce a t wo r k we re a p po i n ted to t he po s i t io n s fo r w h i c h t hey we re se l e cted a s of t h e d a te s o n w h i ch t hey a s s u m e d t he d u t ie s of t he se po s i t io n s, w h i ch i s co n s i st e n t w i t h t he b ro a d p u r po se fo r w h i c h po s it io n s a re fi l le d. I n t he se c i rcu m s ta n ce s, I a m u n a b le to co n c l ude t ha t t he Ho s p ita l a cte d i n a d i s c r im i na to ry ma n ne r i n a p po i n t i ng t he G r ievo r to t he Co re L a bo ra tory Te c h no lo g i s t po s i t io n u po n he r retu r n to wo rk from p reg na n c y le a ve. I t s ho u ld be no te d, a s we l l, t h a t A rt i c le 1 3. 07 p rov ide s fo r a 60 wo r k i ng day t r i a l pe rio d u po n p romo t io n o r t ra n s fe r, w h i ch wo u ld e n compa s s t h e G r ie vo r ' s a p po i n tme n t to t he fu l l -t ime Co re La bo ra to ry T e ch no lo g i s t po s i t io n. A l t ho ug h t he U n io n s u g ge sted t h a t a tr i a l pe riod wo u ld not be ne ce s sary, a s t he G r ievo r h ad a l rea dy p e rfo rm e d t he d u t ie s o f t h e po s i t io n o n a p a r t =t ime ba s i s a n d, t he re fo re, wo u ld no t l i k e l y h a ve be e n ret u r ne d to he r fo rme r po s i t io n, a t r ia l
1 5 pe riod i s a req u i reme n t u nde r t he co l le ct ive ag reeme n t. Mo reove r, t he p u r po se of t he t r ia l p e riod i s no t o n ly to a l low t he Ho s p i ta l to req u i re t ha t a n e mp lo yee be re t u r ne d to he r fo rme r po s i t io n, b u t a l so to g i ve t he same o pt io n to t he e m p loyee. I f t he t r ia l pe rio d we re e l im i n a ted, t h i s opt io n wo u ld be removed from bo t h t he Ho sp i ta l a nd t he em p loyee, w h i c h wo u l d p u t t he emp loyee a t a d i s adva nt a ge i f s he w i s hed to reve rt to he r fo rme r po s i t io n. A s we l l, a l t ho ug h t he re wa s some s u gge st io n t ha t t he t ria l pe riod co u l d have b ee n se rved w he n t he G r ie vo r ret u rne d to wo r k from p reg na n cy le ave, A rt i c le 1 3. 07 do e s not p rov i de fo r a n em p loyee to re ce i ve t he be nefi ts of a new ( i n t h i s ca se, fu l l -t ime ) pos i t io n w h i le d efe r r i n g t h e t r i a l pe r iod. W i t h re s p ec t to ot h e r p rov i s i o n s of t h e co l l e c t iv e a g re e m e n t, a s t he re wa s no d i sp u te t ha t t he G r ievo r re ce i ve d a l l o f h e r e n t i t leme n ts a s a p a rt t i m e employe e u p o n h e r re t u rn to wo r k from p re g n a n cy l e a v e, t h e co l l e c t i ve a g reem e n t o b l iga t io n s have b ee n me t. A c co rd i ng ly, i t i s u n ne ce s s a ry to co n s ide r t h e ca s e s re l ie d u po n by t h e U n io n, w h i ch ho ld t ha t a n emp loyee o n p reg na n cy (o r pa re n ta l ) le ave i s e n t i t l e d to m a i n ta i n a l l se n io ri ty- a nd serv i ce- b a sed be nefi t s i n t he em p lo yee's e x i s t i ng po s i t io n a s i f t he em p loyee ha d no t bee n ab se n t o n l e ave : se e, e. g., Re Halton (Regional Mun icip a lity) and O. N. A. ( 1 9 9 5 ), 4 8 L.A. C. (4th )30 1 ( B u r ke tt ). T ha t re q u i reme n t ha s b ee n me t i n t h i s ca se i n re l a t io n to t he pa rt- t ime po s i t io n w h i ch t he G r ievo r he rd a t t he s t a rt of he r p re g n a ncy l eave.
1 6 I n t h e re s u l t, I fi nd t h a t t h e re h a s b e e n n o v io l a t i o n of t h e co l le ct i ve ag reeme n t. A c co rd i n g ly, t h e g rieva n ce m u st be d i sm i s sed. DAT E D AT TO RO N TO, t h i s 2 3 rd d a y of A p r i l, 2 0 0 2. S o l e A r b i t rato r