WestJet employees come forward as review launched in wake of sexual assault claim

WestJet says several employees havecome forward in the wake of accusations that the airlinefailed to properly handle an allegation of sexual assault.

In an email toCBC News, WestJet spokesperson Lauren Stewart said "a number of employees," have now come forward,adding, "we are taking their concerns extremely seriously."

Stewart did not say how many employees are involvedor describe the nature of their comments, citing privacy laws.

• WestJet sex assault allegations lead to review of procedures
• WestJet'shandling of sex assault claim left employees vulnerable, says fired flight attendant

She said the airline has taken "firm and decisive." steps following acomplaint fromMandalena (Mandy) Lewis, a former WestJet flight attendant, who is suing her former employer.

In a civil suitfiled in B.C. Supreme Court, Lewis claimsshe was sexually assaulted by a pilot in 2010 during a layover in Hawaii. Sheallegesthe airlineprotected the pilot and fired her instead.

None of the allegations hasbeen proven in court.

On Friday, WestJet announced that it has hired auditing firmErnst and Young toreviewits reporting procedures and practices.

In the email to CBC,Stewart said the airline has encouraged WestJet employees to come forward.

Airline 'reached out' to employees

"We engaged several teams atWestJetto immediately begin re-investigating the allegations, and we reached out to our employees to encourage anyone with information about the allegations or any other behaviour that violates our respectful workplace policies to come forward," she said.

Stewart said she didn't know when the report will be complete but addedthat its recommendations will be made public.

Last week, WestJet president and CEO GreggSaretsky posted astatement to the company's blog, writing that WestJet would be in courtdefending the lawsuit launched by Lewis.

In a statement Friday, Saretsky said,"the broader issues of sexual assault and harassment in the workplace that were raised are matters we take most seriously."