Ex-Flight Attendant Suing WestJet over Alleged Sexual Assault

A former WestJet Flight Attendant has filed a lawsuit against the airline, after allegedly being sexually assaulted by a co-worker.

Mandalena Lewis was a flight attendant at WestJet from 2008 to 2016. According to her complaint, she was assaulted in January 2010 by a pilot during a layover in Hawaii. After being assaulted, Lewis reported it to her First Officer, Manager, and local police authorities.

Lewis said that WestJet failed to investigate the allegations, but did, however, tell her to stay quiet about the assault. The airline then took away the pilot’s ability to fly to where the assault allegedly took place, and changed Lewis’ schedule around so she did not have to work with the pilot again.

The flight attendant was later fired, but before she was, Lewis met another attendant that claimed to be assaulted by the same pilot in 2008.

Lewis’ sister spoke out on Facebook about her sister being fired.

“A few months ago my sister went on stress leave. While on stress leave WestJet –the employer who failed to protect her and many others –fired her for "insubordination." The pilot that sexually assaulted at least TWO flight attendants is still flying,” she posted to the social media site.

A lawsuit was filed in the B.C. Supreme Court on March 1^st. An online petition has also been started asking for the CEO of WestJet Gregg Saretsky to step down, and for him to ensure that charges of rape and sexual assault are investigated.

“The significance of this, according to the suit, is that WestJet knew two years before Mandy's alleged assault about another assault –and the company failed to remove the pilot from the workplace or place conditions on his employment that would protect employees like the plaintiff,” stated the online petition.

Lewis has decided to come forward with these allegations because she said she believes WestJet must stand accountable.

The petition can be found on Sum Of US, an organization that exists to fight for corporate accountability.

“Women shouldn’t face harassment of any kind at their respective workplaces and no one should fear for their job after reporting sexual assault by a fellow employee,” explained Emma Pullman, lead campaign strategist at SumOfUs.

“WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky has not only failed to protect survivors of sexual assault, but under his leadership he has created an environment that punish survivors for reporting their abuse. This is unacceptable. Saretsky must resign, and WestJet leadership must take immediate action to overhaul sexual harassment and assault prevention and reporting mechanisms immediately.”

Inside of WestJet’s Business Code of Conduct it states the terms of employment for its employees:

• WestJet is committed to providing a safe and respectful work environment for all employees
• Harassment includes sexual assault, unnecessary or unwelcome physical contact and any other action that may reasonably be perceived as offensive or disrespectful
• No-one has the right to harass anyone else at work or in any situation related to employment
• WestJet will respond promptly to all complaints to ensure they are resolved quickly and fairly
• WestJet will impose sanctions (including termination) on any employee who violates these requirements
• Anyone who retaliates against a person who has made a complaint will be subject to sanctions.

Lewis’ suit alleges wrongful dismissal and breach of employment contract, as WestJet allegedly failed to provide a safe work environment for the attendant.

Lauren Stewart, spokesperson for WestJet, said the airline will not comment on allegations contained in ongoing legal proceedings.

“We take these allegations very seriously. We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace environment, and encourage our employees to report any behavior that may violate our policies via our confidential and anonymous whistleblower hotline or to any member of our leadership team. We are aware of a petition calling for our president and CEO to resign, however none of the allegations, including those in the petition, have been proven in court.”