Co-workers complained about manager's social media post on Israel-Gaza conflict
A senior manager responsible for diversity, equity, and inclusion in British Columbia has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against her former employer, claiming she was let go following complaints about her social media post regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Amy Blanding claims Northern Health Authority terminated her employment through constructive dismissal in breach of her constitutional right to freedom of speech.
The case stems from Northern Health’s response to complaints about her social media post regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict, which ultimately led to her demotion and departure from the organization, according to a Vancouver Sun report.
Previously, a court struck down a statement of claim in a wrongful dismissal lawsuit.
Social media posts lead to termination
Blanding, a resident of Prince George, was employed with Northern Health from 2018 until May 10, 2024, according to the Vancouver Sun. In addition to her role at the health authority, she is a singer-songwriter who has expressed concerns about violence in Gaza and human rights abuses by Israel.
On April 6, while off-duty, she performed a song with a choir advocating peace and freedom, wore a T-shirt depicting a map of Israel and Gaza with a watermelon image, “conveying support for Palestinian human rights,” her lawsuit says.
She later posted on Instagram a video of the song referring to the “number of civilians including children killed by Israel.”
Then, four co-workers sent a letter to Blanding’s employer demanding that she be penalized. They accused her of being antisemitic, pro-Hamas and pro-terrorism.
She learned her employer told the complainants in writing that it agreed with them.
Her employer’s view that she was “bigoted, incapable of performing in her position and supportive of violence” caused Blanding “significant distress,” and she was unable to return to her job, according to the lawsuit.
In response to these complaints, on May 10, Northern Health demanded that Blanding sign a statement acknowledging her actions had made people feel “unsafe” and that she issue an apology, particularly to the Jewish community.
When she refused to comply, Northern Health demoted her, placed her on administrative leave, and cited her comments, clothing, and refusal to apologize as reasons for the action.
“The circumstances caused Ms. Blanding extreme stress and anxiety” and she went on sick leave, the claim said, according to the report.
She was later terminated.
Claims of defamation
Blanding also launched a separate lawsuit against the four complainants, seeking damages and an injunction to retract what she says are defamatory statements. She argued that the letter they submitted to her employer was false, defamatory, and sent with “actual malice,” with the intent of damaging her reputation.
Neither Northern Health nor the individuals named in the lawsuit have responded publicly, and none of the claims have been proven in court, according to the report.
Previously, Jewish members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) filed human rights complaints against their union, claiming it has been “advancing an anti-Israel agenda and causing a culture of discrimination and harassment against Jewish PSAC members”.
