PILOT FAILED TO MEET PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS But WestJet denies sex assault allegations

Posted on 03/23/2016

WestJet is denying allegations it failed to take proper action after a former flight attendant complained to management she had been sexually assaulted by a pilot in 2010 while on a stopover in Hawaii.

In a statement of defence filed today in British Columbia Supreme Court, Westjet says it immediately launched an internal investigation into Mandalena Lewis's complaint, but was ultimately unable to conclude the unnamed pilot had committed assault.The airline says the pilot's behaviour related to excessive drinking, partying and fraternizing with flight attendants failed to meet professional standards.The document says the airline suspended the pilot, issued him a last-chance warning and deprived him of the privilege of international flights, adding that privacy laws prevented the company from sharing those disciplinary measures with Lewis.Lewis is also suing WestJet over breach of contract and wrongful dismissal, saying she was terminated because of her repeated requests to view her employee file in order to learn what the company had done about her complaint.WestJet says its decision to fire Lewis earlier this year was rather the result of her perennially poor attendance, inappropriate use of social media and aggressive communication style.Lewis also said that another flight attendant had claimed to be assaulted by the same pilot in 2008.Lewis’ suit alleges, "For the plaintiff, this information meant that WestJet's failure to properly investigate and respond to the 2008 complainant's report of sexual assault ... resulted in Pilot M being at liberty to assault others. The significance to the plaintiff ... is that it showed WestJet knew at least by 2008 that the pilot was a danger to other employees." None of the allegations made in the statement of claim or defence have been proven in court.