(CMR) Talk show host Patricia Bryan has filed a lawsuit against the Cayman Islands Government, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Laveta Dunn, and CML Recruiting, claiming she was made to work in a toxic environment and subjected to discrimination and harassment.
According to the document filed in the Summary Court on October 25, Bryan was hired by CML Recruiting for a six-month temporary-to potential-for-permanent contract with the RCIPS Business Office to start on April 5, 2023. Although she was hired as a paralegal, she acted in the capacity of legal advisor.
Bryan, who is the sister of Minister of Tourism Kenneth Bryan, is claiming a loss of earnings from June 26 to October 2023 after she said she was forced to resign from the job to preserve her psychological state of mind and morale.
Bryan claims that defendant Lavetta Dunn who is the manager of the Police Business Office, created a toxic and often hostile work environment and engaged in offensive and abusive behavior. She also claimed Dunn engaged in bullying, speaking to her in condescending belittling tones and taunting her.
According to the court document, Dunn treated her like a child and subjected her to discrimination, malicious gossip, and slander.
The RCIPS is accused of not taking action after Bryan made complaints about Dunn. According to the court document, the RCIPS failed to have Dunn refrain from and cease workplace toxicity such as harassment, discrimination, and bullying towards Bryan.
Bryan also accuses the RCIPS of failing to provide a peaceful, nontoxic work environment, as the organization knew of Dunn's behavior for about 2 years. The court document also stated that the RCIPS allowed Dunn's abuse of Bryan and others by allowing Dunn to continue hiring new staff despite complaints made against her.
Bryan also claims that CML Recruiting failed its contractual obligations as the employer to support her in her placement.
The court document stated that the Cayman Islands Government, as an oversight, did not provide direct legislation that addresses private employees hired by employment recruiters for positions within the public sector or civil service and addresses employees subject to workplace toxicity.
Bryan is claiming all defendants effected a breach of contract directly or indirectly by association which left her with no option but to resign to preserve her emotional and psychological state of mind, professional and personal morale, and humility. She is claiming $20,000.
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