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Public works employees tell council risk-management practices are harming morale and operations
Summary
Several Suffolk Public Works employees told council that recent risk-management interviews and practices have damaged trust and morale, calling for clearer oversight, notification to supervisors before interviews, and better training such as forklift certification.
Multiple employees from Suffolk Public Works told council their department’s relationship with the city’s risk management office has eroded trust and impaired operations. Speakers described unannounced, broad employee interviews tied to complaints and said the approach resembles criminal-style investigations rather than administrative safety reviews.
"Their current approach…is undermining internal protocols in the chain of command," said D'Angelo Askew, sign and paint superintendent in the traffic engineering division. Askew said interviews have occurred without notifying supervisors and that the practice has "eroding employee trust, creating a culture of fear and suspicion."
Richard Griffin, sign maintenance supervisor, described a shift he called abrupt and aggressive. "They arrive like law enforcement…No heads up, no collaboration," Griffin said, and said the environment has become more surveilling than supportive. He warned the culture is affecting staff willingness to speak and act, which could affect service delivery.
Speakers also said the department had operational training needs, including forklift recertification for several staff who currently have expired certificates. They asked council to review risk management’s scope, oversight and procedures and to ensure supervisors are engaged before interviews that might affect employee rights or morale.
Council members thanked employees for speaking and asked staff and city management to review the concerns. Vice Mayor Ward and others said they expected the city manager to address the issue and explore solutions that maintain safety oversight while protecting due process and staff morale.
