WestJet has reached a $4.5 million settlement in a sexual harassment class-action lawsuit involving over 3,000 flight attendants, as confirmed by the lead plaintiff and her legal representative. The settlement terms, finalized in June and approved by a British Columbia judge on Monday, have been welcomed by WestJet, who expressed satisfaction with the resolution.
The lawsuit, initiated by former flight attendant Mandalena Lewis over a 2010 incident in Hawaii, evolved into a class action in 2022 after additional airline employees joined the case. Allegations centered around WestJet’s alleged failure to maintain a safe work environment with sufficient anti-harassment protocols.
While Lewis expressed relief at the case closure, she voiced disappointment over what she perceived as inadequate justice for the plaintiffs. The settlement amount, termed as “symbolic” by Lewis, will see approximately $400 distributed to each of the 3,452 flight attendants involved, post-expenses deduction, including legal costs. Additionally, the judge reduced Lewis’ honorarium to $10,000 from an agreed $20,000.
Under the agreement, WestJet is mandated to engage a third-party consultant for a workplace assessment to gauge harassment prevalence, underreporting extent, and enhance reporting and response mechanisms. Lewis described her legal journey as a “nightmare,” citing a deep-rooted issue of sexual harassment within the airline industry that persists today.
The settlement, viewed favorably by lawyer Joshua Coratti, is considered a beneficial outcome for WestJet as it resolves potential individual claims and limits liability. Coratti highlighted the impact of such lawsuits in deterring companies from engaging in misconduct and signaling unacceptable behavior standards.