Jacqueline Ryrie, the public affairs director of the University of Calgary’s Qatar campus, is suing the university for $2 million, alleging that the institution ostracized her during a period of mental illness. Ryrie is seeking punitive damages for mental suffering and loss of wages. Over the last year, Ryrie has filed numerous health-related complaints to UCQ’s board of governors.
The University of Calgary opened a campus to teach nursing students in the middle-eastern country of Qatar in 2007, in partnership with the Qatari government.
Earlier this year, Ryrie took a stress leave from work. Soon after, she was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, hospitalized to undergo cancer tests. During her absence, her co-workers were allegedly threatened with dismissal if they discussed work-related matters with her. When Ryrie left intensive care, she received a five-day notice of termination, and told to vacate her university-subsidized apartment.
Ryrie says the university has breached contract by failing to ensure that her state of health would not damage her work life.
