Estevan woman protesting ban from SGI after being fired

REGINA – A former SGI employee says she is protesting the insurance agency’s decision to ban her from her former workplace.

“Do you have to call in to make an appointment to go into SGI? I don’t know anyone else that has to,” Suzanne Mayer said outside of SGI’s Regina headquarters.

Mayer worked at SGI in Estevan, Sask. and was fired in 2012. She said before she was fired, she filed a complaint with Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) because she felt she was being “segregated” by her supervisors, but SGI said her dismissal was only due to job performance.

“The employee in question was disciplined.”

The ban Mayer is protesting occurred in December 2013.

After questioning the OH&S representative at the SGI office at 1009-5th Street in Estevan, Mayer received a letter saying she “spoke loud enough to be heard in the workplace” and was banned from the premises due to the disruption.

SGI said it’s in its policy to place “restrictions” on members of the public entering SGI properties if they are disruptive and disrespectful.

Mayer said this disrupts her business as an independent driving instructor, but the insurance agency says there are steps put in place that allow her to continue doing business with SGI.

Additionally, Mayer said her time at SGI was marred by racism and the stress of the situation resulted on her going on “short-term disability” leave.

Erhardt said that SGI takes allegations of racism “very seriously” and “they are investigated and appropriate action is taken.”