By Allendria Brunjes
Julia Murphy works at a coffee shop on Elgin that’s open late every night. She says her workplace doesn’t supply rides to those who need it.
“I don’t think it’s that they don’t care,” she says. “I think it’s that it’s never been brought to their attention.”
Murphy says she has a car and can drive home. But one of her co-workers lives on Somerset Street and has to take the bus and walk alone when there is no one around who can drive her home.
It’s a situation that occurs nightly in Ottawa, brought to the public’s attention through Jennifer Teague’s case.
Belinda Sutton, a communications representative for the ministry of labour, says if something happens to a worker when he or she is travelling home, it’s a police matter.
“Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, and Occupational Health and Safety Act there is no requirement for employers to ensure workers get home after their shift ends,” she says.
Daniel Stringer does community outreach for Ottawa Centre MPP Richard Patten and was speaking on his behalf.
“He is supportive of protecting people and workers,” says Stringer. “It would be something the ministry would have to study.”
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty was recently quoted as saying he does not think legislation is required.
He said he thinks people should instead call upon Ontario’s businesses to have their own practices put in place to get workers to and from work safely.
Harvey’s on Elgin Street already has their own policy to get employees home.
“Safety comes first,” says Rassi Wajih, the owner of the franchise on Elgin. “Definitely we make sure they get home.”
If one of Wajih’s employees is under 18 years old and wants to leave without having their parents come get them, he makes sure the parents know what is happening. When a person is over 18 years old he can’t control what they choose to do, he adds.
He also says he would be willing to look at a legislation proposal, but doesn’t know how well it would work.
Sometimes workers choose not to use the rides that are available to them, he said – would legislation force them to accept rides home?If the car crashed on the way, would the driver or the company be held accountable?
“To eliminate this problem is almost impossible,” he said. “It’s a big complicated matter.”
“I would rather see much more awareness,” he said.
Stephanie McGill, a supervisor at an ice cream store on Elgin that stays open until 11 p.m. every night, said she would like to see legislation to protect younger people, but older people should be able to take care of themselves.
“I think for if you’re 15 or 16, but once you reach a certain age you have to be responsible for yourself.”
Murphy says she thinks there is always a risk, “whether it’s two minutes or half an hour” that someone is alone at night.
She says she thinks there should be legislation in place to make sure businesses get their employees home at night.
“It would motivate them to keep their workers safe.”