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Former Sidney employee sues Town for wrongful dismissal

Former information services manager was fired on June 18, 2013.

A former Town of Sidney employee is suing the municipality for wrongful dismissal after he was let go by the Town on June 18 this year.

Peter Payerl, who was the Town's manager of information services since April 30, 2001, and his lawyer Darren Williams filed the civil claim July 15 in B.C. Supreme Court in Victoria.

In court documents, the plaintiff alleges he was fired for cause by the municipality but at no time had the Town reprimanded him or warned him he might be fired unless his behaviour changed, or conducted any progressive discipline.

The claim states the Town did not have cause to fire Payerl, alleging the municipality "fabricated cause to avoid paying the plaintiff his rightful contractual severance."

Randy Humble, chief administrative officer for the Town of Sidney, said he could not comment on the matter, as it is in the court system.

The Town has not yet filed a statement of defense.

Payerl is seeking damages for wrongful dismissal, 18 months of salary, punitive damages and other costs. He was making an annual salary of $105,000 at the time of his dismissal.