An order to rehire two employees of the Vernon fire department caught amid an in-office sex scandal has been appealed by the City of Vernon.

Last March, the fire captain and a dispatcher were dismissed after a surveillance camera caught the pair engaging in sexual relations while in the fire chief’s office.

The footage was reviewed and the two employees were fired, prompting a union grievance arguing that while discipline was reasonable, the firings were excessive.

Photo Credit: Google Maps.

A B.C. Labour Arbitration panel then ruled that the firings were, in fact, excessive and has ordered the City of Vernon to rehire the two employees.

However, the City of Vernon has appealed that order to reinstate the firefighter.

“The city has filed an application to the Labour Relations Board appealing the order of the Arbitration Board to reinstate [the firefighter] to the workplace,” said the statement.

“The city has also filed an application to stay the implementation of the order pending the labour board’s review.”