Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board considers changes to harassment-complaint handling to increase independence
Summary
Hall County board discussed an option to require the board chair to notify members in closed session when workplace complaints reach a threshold and to add an independent pool of reviewers to avoid chair involvement, following staff recommendations that many counties use similar approaches.
Hall County board members discussed an option to change how workplace harassment complaints are handled so the board chair is not the sole gatekeeper and so the board is notified when a complaint reaches a certain level.
Staff described a proposal — suggested by a staff member identified as Pam — that would remove or limit the board chair’s involvement in initial complaint handling and create a pool of three independent individuals who could be selected to review complaints. Pam said many counties handle complaints in a variety of ways and that the suggested approach could help create a greater sense of independence and reduce the risk of prejudgment by the board.
A staff speaker noted that, under current practice, the board chair (Ron) is not required in writing to inform other board members when a complaint has escalated. The proposal would create an obligation for the chair to at least generally inform the board in a closed session when a complaint reaches that level. The speaker noted the state's wording uses the term “closed session” rather than “executive session.”
Board members were presented the option and staff offered to demonstrate software and to return with additional information. The transcript does not record a formal motion or vote on changing complaint procedures; the proposal was presented as an option for the board to consider.
