Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
First it was a police investigation into missing rent money. Then, notice of a massive hike in rent being charged to residents. Now, Trillium Norwich Retirement Home is closing its doors without giving residents and families legal notice. On top of that, staff members have been told they won’t be getting a nickel for showing up to work.
Cheryl Williams has been an employee since June of last year and she told the Echo she is one of the longest-serving employees.
“The turnover was horrible because of how staff were treated.” She added Julie Vitias, the home’s former manager, was the root cause. Williams, 62 years old with health issues, said she was berated.
“She would make comments like I should be grateful she gave me a job at my age. I was yelled at in front of other staff and residents. All the stuff you would expect from a bad manager.”
Vitias is currently at least one of the subjects of an OPP investigation into what the OPP said is at least $50,000 in missing rent payments. As for staff payroll. Williams explained it started a few months ago.
“We weren’t getting our pay on time and it was coming through e-transfers, which was odd, by a numbered company which was different from the business. I think it’s one of Gil’s other businesses.”
The person she is referring to is Gil Scholyar who is listed on the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA) website as being the majority owner of the home. He was also the owner of another Trillium Home in Toronto that surrendered its license two months ago. A source told the Gazette that home had no residents when the license was turned in.
Williams said Anna Nikitenko, listed as Trillium’s general manager, made a rare appearance in Norwich on Nov. 1 after staff wasn’t paid on Oct. 31. Despite assurances payroll would flow, it didn’t happen.
“She very nonchalantly said there’s no more money, we aren’t giving anyone any money. Just go to the labour board. In the same sentence, she asked us to volunteer to take care of the residents. I asked her if she was getting paid and she wouldn’t comment.”
An email to staff from Nikitenko to staff stated “…we have not received the funds needed to cover payroll payments for both past and current periods. I understand the impact this has on your livelihood, but the situation is beyond my control.”
The Echo attempted numerous times to get more information from her through phone calls and texts, including asking her if she was still getting paid. She would not answer.
Williams said Scholyar has not visited the home in her time there.
Some employees refused to work for free while the one who stayed asked for a record of employment (ROE) in order to apply for employment insurance once all residents have found new living quarters. Williams said the answer was bizarre.
“She said no, in order for us to get the ROE we had to hand in letters of resignation. We said no, that’s quitting meaning we would be punished by EI by giving letters of resignation. We have to wait until after the 11th to get them.”
Williams figured she is owed about $4,000 making it difficult to pay her rent and other bills. The Echo reached out to Nikitenko asking for an explanation as to why staff won’t be paid, why the home ran out of money and why she attempted to raise rent potentially illegally. While she read the initial text message, further messages were ignored. Several phone calls were also now answered. She was also asked if she was receiving a pay cheque.
She added the ten or so staff members at the home are wonderful and care deeply for the residents which is why they are sticking around. Williams said there will be about four residents remaining by press time, but if they aren’t placed elsewhere, she and her team won’t be going anywhere.
“What are we supposed to do? Most people have been very supportive but we get the odd comment that we are stupid for working for free. You try spending a year and a half caring for these people and then just walk out on them. I can’t do that.”
The province is providing emergency funding for residents and their families. That money is paying for transportation to the long-term care or retirement home they were admitted to along with one month of rent. Staff members sticking around will get nothing.
“Ontario Health at Home is paying personal support workers to come in and help us, but we are not getting paid,” explained Williams. “They are wonderful, they are here to help. We just want to be paid for our work.”
The Echo asked Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman why the province wouldn’t provide lost wages to staff members.
“Maybe we need to look at that and we had quite a discussion (with the RHRA). This is the first time I have had to deal with this and I’m not the only one dealing with when someone doesn’t live up to their obligations.”
Hardeman added he is hopeful the labour board will become involved in the situation as soon as possible.
“I hope the owner realizes he doesn’t have the power to tell his employees you’re done and send them off without paying the wages that are owed.”
Before announcing it was closing its doors, Trillium also informed at least some residents of a massive rent increase, something not permitted under the Landlord Tenant Act. The Act sets a yearly maximum hike in rent, normally close to the rate of inflation. For 2024 that number sits at 2.5 per cent. One resident’s family who reached out to the Echo said their loved one’s rent, set at $1,500 was set to rise to just under $4,000.
Williams said the current residents are being fed but should the food run out the local United Church and Salvation Army made it clear they would step in and provide good, nutritious meals for the remaining residents.
“A lot of former residents’ family members also said they would step up and help if needed,” said Williams.
The Trillium Care Norwich building is for sale and was listed in April with a price tag of $2 million.
Two GoFundMe page has been set up, one by a neighbour and the other by a former employee. Both said all funds or anything else donated will be distributed to staff members still on the job.
About 25 employees and members of the community held a rally and media availability at the home on Tuesday.
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