Working without pay isn't something anyone likes to do, but Lorrie McGinnis claims it was a regular occurrence at the University of Regina, and now she is taking legal action.
McGinnis worked at the university from 2005 to 2008 in the human resources department. She says the U of R owes her just under $7000 dollars. Even though her legal costs will likely cost double that amount, McGinnis says it is a matter of principle.
“I just didn’t feel it was right,” says McGinnis. “It seemed to be a monthly issue there and I started tracking my hours."
The university says that at the time McGinnis was employed, it was up to the manager of her department to communicate with her if overtime was expected, essentially saying it's not left up to the employee to make that decision.
Barb Pollock is the vice president of external relations with the university. “Before 2009, a person would not have worked hours beyond an average work week of 36.25 unless they had had a conversation with their manager and figured out how to average out their work week.”
But McGinnis says that conversation never took place, “I personally felt that if I didn’t process this paperwork I would most like receive a reprimand. I feared the reprimand part because of how they treat their staff.”
When McGinnisresigned four years ago, she came forward with her overtime hours, but received no response from her employer. So she paid a visit to the Labour Standards Board where she received some compensation, but still was left with a number of unpaid work hours.
“I don’t feel it is fair. The whole issue about letting it go is just not appropriate. In my view they should compensate me for what I have done.”
