Independent workplace assessment launched into N.W.T. legislature clerk's office

The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly's Board of Management announced Wednesday it plans to launch an independent workplace assessment into theclerk's office.

The move comes after Tim Mercer, the clerk of the N.W.T. legislature, went on leave Monday, the same day accusations of workplace bullying came to light.

"The Board of Management wants to thank employees of the Legislative Assembly for their continued professionalism and their efforts to ensure all members are supported when the assembly resumes sitting next week,"reada statement from the board on Wednesday.

It says it will comment further "when appropriate."

The Board of Management is a committee of MLAs thatis responsible for the overall management of the Legislative Assembly.

On Monday CBC published bullying allegations made against Mercer by a worker in his office.

April Taylor, acommittee advisor, saidMercer hasberated her and others to the point of tears. She also said Mercer responds to any criticism with hostility, and that his behaviour has gone unchecked by MLAs for years.

Mercer denies all of the allegations. He says most of them were independently investigated two years ago and found to be groundless.

MLA Steve Norn made similar allegations against Mercerand called for an independent investigation of him on Monday.