Jamie Gibert, a teacher’s aide (TA) in the Pembina Hills School Division, was suspended with pay pending an investigation for what she calls “false accusations” involving COVID-19 rules..In an interview with the Western Standard, Gibert admitted she has been opposed to the vaccination mandates since they were brought forward..“When I was asked to disclose my vaccination status, I responded that I had been vaccinated based on natural immunity, but was not vaccinated in the traditional sense,” said Gibert..Gibert, who has been a TA with the school division for just over a year, confirmed she and her husband contracted COVID-19 and said her husband was hospitalized due to his illness, but has since recovered..“I also sent in my own version of a notice of liability that included information I had gathered on why natural immunity was relevant,” said Gibert, who indicated she sent it to both the school superintendents as well as the board of trustees..“I wanted them to read all the information I had put together.”.Shortly after she sent the notice of liability via e-mail, Gibert said she was called into the office at her school on November 29 and was reprimanded by the superintendent of the school..“They said I should not have e-mailed the trustees and I should have only contacted my direct supervisor,” said Gibert, who provided her Letter of Direction signed by the assistant superintendent of Human Resources to the Western Standard..“This letter is to inform you that you have acted in contravention to AP 40-47, Employee Code of Conduct,” the letter reads..The letter goes on to state Gibert did not follow the “proper channels of dispute resolution” where she was to first communicate concerns to the person involved. If not resolved, then “involve your supervisor” and if the issue is still not resolved, bring it forward “to the assistant superintendent of Human Resources.”.“So, they wrote me up on that one,” said Gibert, who added the letter was the “first complaint” she has ever received and it would stay on her personnel file..Gibert said she has been complying with all the mandatory COVID-19 testing required..“I submit my negative results through e-mail and always communicate that I am doing so under duress and without my consent,” said Gibert..The following Friday, as Gibert was leaving the school for the day, a friend from inside the school texted to inform her she had been paged to the office a number of times..Gibert said she went back into the school and was again greeted by the superintendent in the office..“He informed me that I was being put on administrative suspension pending an investigation,” said an emotional Gibert..When she inquired why she was being suspended, Gibert said she was told it was “alleged” she had been “neglecting” her assigned duties by “engaging in social media during the workday and not attending to your tasks,” and was given a written copy of the Notice of Administrative Suspension..“I love my job,” Gibert said in tears, “and I am very good at it.”.Gibert said the allegations were false and said she only goes on social media during her lunch break..“They are just looking for a way to fire me because I have been outspoken towards these unreasonable mandates,” said Gibert..“In summation, you are suspended from your performance of your duties with pay and will remain suspended until further notice pending the outcome of the investigation,” the notice said..“They told me I can’t contact HR or anyone at the school,” said Gibert..“I just really don’t know what to do.”.“The superintendent said he will be calling me Wednesday or Thursday this week for a meeting,” said Gibert, who is now seeking legal advice on the matter..When contacted, the assistant superintendent of Human Resources for the Pembina Hills School Division, Brett Cooper, who refused to comment..Pembina Hills division is based in Barrhead, Alberta..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
Jamie Gibert, a teacher’s aide (TA) in the Pembina Hills School Division, was suspended with pay pending an investigation for what she calls “false accusations” involving COVID-19 rules..In an interview with the Western Standard, Gibert admitted she has been opposed to the vaccination mandates since they were brought forward..“When I was asked to disclose my vaccination status, I responded that I had been vaccinated based on natural immunity, but was not vaccinated in the traditional sense,” said Gibert..Gibert, who has been a TA with the school division for just over a year, confirmed she and her husband contracted COVID-19 and said her husband was hospitalized due to his illness, but has since recovered..“I also sent in my own version of a notice of liability that included information I had gathered on why natural immunity was relevant,” said Gibert, who indicated she sent it to both the school superintendents as well as the board of trustees..“I wanted them to read all the information I had put together.”.Shortly after she sent the notice of liability via e-mail, Gibert said she was called into the office at her school on November 29 and was reprimanded by the superintendent of the school..“They said I should not have e-mailed the trustees and I should have only contacted my direct supervisor,” said Gibert, who provided her Letter of Direction signed by the assistant superintendent of Human Resources to the Western Standard..“This letter is to inform you that you have acted in contravention to AP 40-47, Employee Code of Conduct,” the letter reads..The letter goes on to state Gibert did not follow the “proper channels of dispute resolution” where she was to first communicate concerns to the person involved. If not resolved, then “involve your supervisor” and if the issue is still not resolved, bring it forward “to the assistant superintendent of Human Resources.”.“So, they wrote me up on that one,” said Gibert, who added the letter was the “first complaint” she has ever received and it would stay on her personnel file..Gibert said she has been complying with all the mandatory COVID-19 testing required..“I submit my negative results through e-mail and always communicate that I am doing so under duress and without my consent,” said Gibert..The following Friday, as Gibert was leaving the school for the day, a friend from inside the school texted to inform her she had been paged to the office a number of times..Gibert said she went back into the school and was again greeted by the superintendent in the office..“He informed me that I was being put on administrative suspension pending an investigation,” said an emotional Gibert..When she inquired why she was being suspended, Gibert said she was told it was “alleged” she had been “neglecting” her assigned duties by “engaging in social media during the workday and not attending to your tasks,” and was given a written copy of the Notice of Administrative Suspension..“I love my job,” Gibert said in tears, “and I am very good at it.”.Gibert said the allegations were false and said she only goes on social media during her lunch break..“They are just looking for a way to fire me because I have been outspoken towards these unreasonable mandates,” said Gibert..“In summation, you are suspended from your performance of your duties with pay and will remain suspended until further notice pending the outcome of the investigation,” the notice said..“They told me I can’t contact HR or anyone at the school,” said Gibert..“I just really don’t know what to do.”.“The superintendent said he will be calling me Wednesday or Thursday this week for a meeting,” said Gibert, who is now seeking legal advice on the matter..When contacted, the assistant superintendent of Human Resources for the Pembina Hills School Division, Brett Cooper, who refused to comment..Pembina Hills division is based in Barrhead, Alberta..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
