London Drugs says pharmacist suing for wrongful dismissal quit her job

London Drugs says a former employee who is suing for wrongful dismissal over the company’s COVID vaccination policy was not terminated but actually quit her job as a pharmacist. In its statement of defence filed in British Columbia Supreme Court, London Drugs said the “reasonably imposed” policy requiring all employees be fully vaccinated was a term of employment for Lina Reid, who worked at a London Drugs store in Vancouver, according to a Vancouver Sun report. “In implementing the policy, the defendant considered that it serves the general public, and is not aware of the health or vaccination status of its customers who enter the store and interact with employees,” London Drugs said in its statement of defence. “The pharmacy may pose a particular risk because of the possibility of sick customers interacting with employees in relatively small spaces.” Read: Vancouver pharmacist sues London Drugs over COVID-19 vaccine requirement London Drugs announced in August 2021 that it was making complete COVID vaccination mandatory. Reid, who had worked at the store for 16 years, did not get vaccinated and was placed on unpaid leave on Nov. 1, 2021, the day London Drug’s full-vaccine policy took effect. She argued in her lawsuit that her terms of employment did not allow London Drugs to impose a vaccine mandate on her and that the store had demonstrated it could operate safely by enforcing other measures, such as social distancing, contact tracing, masking and health questionnaires. According to an article in the Peace Arch News, Reid said in her statement of claim that as an alternative to vaccination, London Drugs would accept COVID-19 testing—which Reid may have to pay for—and “any further measures determined necessary.” Reid, who said London Drugs did not give her any notice of termination or pay in lieu of notice, is seeking damages equivalent to 18 months’ notice plus special damages for out-of-pocket expenses incurred while trying to find alternate, comparable employment, pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest, court costs and any other relief allowed by the judge. Read: Workplace vaccine mandates being upheld as challenges largely tossed out: legal experts Her annual salary at London Drug was $83,460, according to her statement of claim. She also received benefits, annual pay-for-performance bonuses, paid vacation and was part of the company’s pension plan. In its response to the lawsuit, London Drugs asserted the implementation of the vaccination policy “was not a breach of contract nor did it fundamentally alter an essential term of the plaintiff’s employment.” Reid’s regular duties would have required her to be in close proximity to other employees, customers and other members of the public. “She was required to give vaccinations to members of the public and to provide health-related information, which may include information regarding COVID-19,” said the response. “Had the plaintiff remained employed by the defendant, she would have been required to administer COVID-19 booster shots to members of the public.” Read: Ontario has enough hospital feedback for mandatory vaccination decision: Elliott

London Drugs says pharmacist suing for wrongful dismissal quit her job

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