Filipino teen sues ex-boss for assault in Canada

Kenneth Lezada, 17, alleges that his now ex-boss slapped him at work. CONTRIBUTED

RED DEER, Alberta – A Filipino teenager in Ottawa, Ontario, has filed a lawsuit against his former manager who allegedly assaulted him at his workplace.

Kenneth Lezada, 17, of Ottawa, Ontario, is suing Mohammad Omar after a slapping incident, which occurred in August 2016.

Lezada, who moved to Canada with his family over a year-and-a-half ago, was working at Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen on Montreal Road as a cashier. The Grade 12 high school student began working at the fast food restaurant in October 2015.

Lezada quit his job following the incident in August.

According to Lezada, the incident ensued while he was bantering with Omar on the evening of August 8. The latter asked if anybody still “loves” him at work, to which Lezada mentioned the name of Omar’s ex-girlfriend who still works at the restaurant.

Immediately Omar allegedly slapped Lezada. The incident was witnessed by Omar’s present girlfriend who was visiting when it happened. Lezada added that his boss just laughed after he cried and ran to the washroom.

According to Lezada, Omar also made threats to fire him if he continued to make problems at work. He reported the incident to the police a week later. Omar denied the allegation to the police, according to Lezada.

Lezada also went to see his family doctor who felt the teenager was traumatized by the incident and filed a claim to Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Omar did not participate during the board’s investigation, according to Lezada.

On December 5, Lezada had a private hearing at the Ottawa Courthouse to press assault charges and criminal harassment charges filed on December 9, respectively.

The harassment charges stemmed from Omar sending inappropriate pictures and messages via cell phone to the minor, which transpired in March 2016.

Omar was not present during the January 11 hearing and had asked for court adjournment for three weeks. The next hearing is slated for February 1.

Omar, the restaurant’s general manager, could not be contacted for comments as of press time.