A nurse from a CHSLD in Longueuil is suspended for three days without pay in the midst of a labor shortage for theft because she ate… a toast peanut butter.
The nurse in question, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, made a toast on the morning of October 2, at the Chevalier-De Lévis residential center in Longueuil.
In the suspension letter dated yesterday, obtained by The newspaperwe can read that this theft of food intended for residents constitutes “a serious breach of your obligations of loyalty and honesty”, writes the management of nursing care at the integrated health and social services center (CISSS).
“Your shortcomings have significant negative consequences both on the reputation of the establishment and on your professional credibility as well as on the quality of the services offered to our customers”, we read further.
Didn’t have time to eat
We met the employee on this subject on November 3, to obtain her version of the facts. According to the letter, the nurse admitted to eating the toast since she had a “stomach ache” and hadn’t had time to eat lunch before coming to work. She would also have mentioned “not knowing” that it was forbidden.
“I find it appalling, for a toast, reacts Brigitte Petrie, the president of the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), which represents the nurses of Montérégie-Est. She was probably more effective after eating her toast…»
“I do not clear the fact of taking equipment. But verbal notice might have been enough, she said. Whether you steal a crumb of bread or some medicine, it’s the same boat.”
According to the FIQ, there are often slices of bread available to employees in CHSLDs, in case residents are hungry. The nurses sometimes even have to throw some away, because the bread becomes stale.
It was the first time that this nurse had been warned for such behavior, assures her union. The young employee, who has only two years of seniority, even thinks of resigning, we are told.
“It was very mixed, admits Ms. Petrie. It is a very coercive management. […] We are really offended by this kind of management there, in the midst of a crisis.
Who will replace her?
Thus, the nurse will be suspended without pay on December 5, 9 and 11.
“They are going to replace her with imaginary nurses,” quips Ms. Petrie, who hesitates between laughing or crying in the face of this situation.
In the event of a repeat offence, the CISSS even writes that dismissal could be considered.
The union intends to challenge this disciplinary measure, but the process will probably take years to settle, admits Ms. Petrie.
At the time of publication, the management of the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est had not responded to the Log.
More details to come.
Do you have any information to share with us about this story?
Got a scoop that might be of interest to our readers?
Write to us at or call us directly at 1 800-63SCOOP.
