WestJet has agreed to settle a sexual harassment class-action lawsuit for $4.5 million, brought by over 3,000 flight attendants over a decade ago. The settlement terms were recently approved by a B.C. judge. The lead plaintiff, Mandalena Lewis, accused a pilot of sexually assaulting her during a layover in Hawaii in 2010. Subsequently, other female employees joined the lawsuit, which was certified as a class action in 2022 by the B.C. Court of Appeal.
Allegations from the flight attendants centered around WestJet’s failure to provide a safe work environment with sufficient anti-harassment measures. Mandalena Lewis expressed a sense of relief that the case has concluded, but noted that the settlement amount did not bring full justice. She felt disappointed by the symbolic nature of the dollar figure and WestJet’s lack of admission of wrongdoing.
The $4.5 million settlement sum will be divided among the 3,452 flight attendants after deducting expenses, including legal fees. This equates to approximately $400 per flight attendant involved in the lawsuit. Additionally, Lewis mentioned that the judge reduced her agreed-upon honorarium from $20,000 to $10,000.
WestJet stated its satisfaction with reaching a settlement and emphasized its commitment to enhancing operations and training to prioritize the safety and well-being of its employees. As part of the agreement, WestJet will engage a third-party consultant to conduct a workplace assessment aimed at evaluating the prevalence of harassment, identifying underreporting issues, and improving reporting and response systems.
Mandalena Lewis described the legal process as a “nightmare,” highlighting the emotional toll of supporting numerous former flight attendants who shared their harassment experiences. She emphasized that sexual harassment remains a deep-rooted problem within the airline industry and expressed hope that her actions would create positive change for others in similar situations.
Legal expert Joshua Coratti viewed the settlement as advantageous for WestJet, as it shields the company from costly individual claims and potential liabilities. While acknowledging the challenges of class-action lawsuits, he noted that such cases can serve as a deterrent against misconduct and encourage companies to uphold higher standards of conduct.