A Nakusp man has launched a civil suit against a local care home for what he says was his wrongful dismissal.
Clayton Brooks filed a $35,000 claim against the Halcyon Assisted Living Society in Small Claims Court in mid-January.
In his notice of claim, Brooks says he was first hired by Halcyon as as casual worker in 2006, and offered full-time employment in 2009.
Halcyon provides long-term care for elderly and disabled people in Nakusp. Brooks worked as a night-time care aide, and had cleaning and security duties.
But Brooks says he was dismissed without just cause or notice in the fall of 2016. He calls the dismissal “callous and insensitive”, and said the company or its employees attacked his reputation in the community, making it difficult for him to find work.
“…the plaintiff has suffered sustained psychological injuries,” the claim states, including insomnia, acute anxiety, and depression. It adds “…the claimant has taken all reasonable steps to mitigate his loss by seeking alternative similar employment but has not been successful.”
Besides damages for breach of contract, and lost salary, Brooks is seeking special damages for medical expenses and his expenses seeking new work. He’s also seeing aggravated and punitive damages against Halcyon.
The total he’s seeking is $35,176.
Brooks’ claims have yet to be proven in court. At press time, Halcyon had not filed its response to the claim.