Just one appalling act nets lawsuit

LWorkplace Law oose lips sink more than ships. When Laurence Mok swore at Tanya Sweeting and told her that he was tired of looking at her ugly face, the last thing that he expected was a lawsuit, let alone having to pay hefty damages.

A plastic surgeon based in Peterborough, Ont., Dr. Mok ran a small but busy office in which Sweeting was the key nurse and office manager. She performed both jobs so well over a 22-year period that Mok viewed her as indispensable.

But the dual demands took a toll on Sweeting. Secretarial assistance was not consistent and she began to feel overworked. Her husband called Dr. Mok’s wife, threatening to pull her out. Although Mrs. Mok pitched in at the office, Sweeting was still staying late and working through lunch.

Nonetheless, Sweeting was prepared to continue with Dr. Mok until he retired, a vague possibility he alluded to on occasion. She enjoyed the job and earned income greater that what was available elsewhere.

In the interim, Dr. Mok directed Sweeting to look into electronic medical recording or EMR with a view to moving into a paperless, fully computerized office. Although he broached the subject three times with her, Sweeting took no action, angering him.

A brief meeting ensued, in which Dr. Mok upbraided Sweeting about the EMR delay. Sweeting asked him why he wanted to take it on so close to retirement, noting its expense. Dr. Mok erupted in a profanity-laced fury, waving his arms in the air and slamming books on the desk.

He accused her of being resistant to change. Sweeting protested that she simply didn’t have the time. Dr. Mok told her to get out and that he was sick and tired of coming into the office and looking at her ugly face.