Truth or Consequences was an American television show originally hosted on NBC radio by Ralph Edwards (1940–1957) and later on television by Edwards (1950–1954), Jack Bailey (1954–1955), Bob Barker (1956–1975), Bob Hilton (1977–1978) and Larry Anderson (1987–1988). The television show ran on CBS, NBC and also in syndication. The premise of the show was to mix the original quiz element of game shows with wacky stunts.
The title “Truth or Consequences” serves as an appropriate introduction to the issue of what happens when an employer concocts reasons for termination after being served with an employee’s claim of wrongful dismissal.
The question answered by this post is: What is the penalty to an employer for concocting an allegation of theft in order to justify an allegation of just cause for termination? In a case from the Ottawa Small Claims Court, Budge v Dickie Moore Rental Inc, 2017 CanLII 468 (ON SCSM), the answer was $4,000 in punitive damages.