York CAS work environment ‘toxic’
Report confirms staff allegations of racism, bullying and harassment
Senior leadership at the York Region Children’s Aid Society fostered a “toxic” work environment, where there was a “culture of fear that targeted dissent” and “where issues of racism and anti-Black racism were allowed and enabled,” according to the damning findings of a third-party review of the child welfare organization.
The report, released Friday afternoon, found employees were so affected by the negative workplace that staff at all levels described high levels of stress, emotional breakdowns, mental health concerns, panic attacks and trauma.
The report also said the workplace culture at York CAS had a “negative impact on the quality of service given to clients.”
The 46-page report was commissioned by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services at the end of July to probe allegations of racism, bullying and harassment involving senior management.
The allegations, first reported in the Star, came to light after the union launched an internal survey to address a “culture of hopelessness” and “racism” at an organization whose mandate it is to help children. The ministry said it first became aware of the problems in May, when it received an anonymous complaint.
The workplace assessment, conducted by mediation firm
Agree Inc., found York CAS has been plagued by leadership that it is described in the report as “autocratic,” “oppressive,” “punitive” and “abusive.”
“The feedback Agree Inc. received from staff at all levels paints the picture of an organization where staff experienced an autocratic, deficit-based culture of fear that targeted dissent and enabled oppressive behaviours,” the report states.
“Based on its findings, Agree Inc. recommended that a new leadership direction and approach must be put in place quickly, and that actions must be taken to create engagement toward a better workplace culture that is respectful, healthy and collaborative.”
In 2018-19, York CAS provided services to 5,000 families and more than 10,000 children and youth. During the same period, the society carried out more than 4,000 child protection investigations.
The consultants reiterated that the report was not a “findings of fact,” but noted that “virtually all staff perceived and experienced the YRCAS workplace this way, and that this lived experience must be taken seriously and addressed quickly.”
Tahir Shafiq, chair of the board of directors, announced in September that CEO Nancy French was taking a medical leave, shortly after the probe began. A few weeks later, COO Aleem Punja was also placed on leave, according to sources.
In a statement posted on its website Friday, Shafiq said the agency is committed to moving forward.
“We care about our staff and are committed to doing everything possible to ensure a truly healthy, inclusive and positive work environment and organizational culture. The review process will help our organization identify and immediately address the serious concerns raised.”
Shafiq said the agency’s focus now will be to review the ministry’s recommendations and develop a comprehensive work plan, which will be posted on the agency’s website.
As part of their three-month probe, investigators spoke to 59 focus groups that included more than 160 participants, conducted 17 one-on-one interviews, and received written submissions from current and former staff totalling 43 responses and more than175 pages of feedback.
Among the testimonials in the report:
“The approach of the CEO and COO was described as aggressive, punitive, oppressive and, at times, abusive. The culture was characterized as one of fear and intimidation with all levels of staff, extending at times to clients and community partners. There were many stories told of blaming, shaming and ‘public’ humiliation (i.e. singling individual staff out during a meeting), along with covert, overt and direct forms of behaviour described as both harassment and bullying.”
Decisions were micromanaged and made without the involvement of front-line workers, resulting in lengthy delays and “poor-quality decisions.”
“All BIPOC staff reported experiencing racist behaviour in the YRCAS workplace” according to the report, which included: Black female staff members being told their “look” (hair, dress, even body shape) was inappropriate for the workplace; Black male clients being referred to as “thugs,” and Asian and South Asian staff told regularly that they “need to learn how to speak English properly.”
Staff experiencing racist comments and, at times, aggressive racist behaviour from clients reported that their concerns were met with indifference, lack of action and lack of support, even after many requests for help. In most cases, BIPOC staff reported they were required to continue to work with racist-behaving clients, and were told, “It’s just part of the job.”
Many staff noted that the organization, as directed by the executive team, chose to stop making Indigenous land acknowledgments.
Staff also expressed concern that “due to a lack of focus and training around racism and anti-Black racism, BIPOC families and children were treated differently and negatively compared to non-racialized families and children.”
In a statement issued Friday, Jill Dunlop, associate minister of children and women’s issues, said York CAS now “has 30 days” to issue a workplan that addresses the review’s findings.
“The operational review supports the concerns that have been raised and includes a number of recommendations to address these issues,” said Dunlop. “I look forward to receiving their workplan and fully expect them to provide immediate solutions in the best interests of their staff and those in need of their support.”
Dunlop said the report would be shared with other children’s aid societies across Ontario.