Council adopts resolution urging action on emergency‑communications workplace complaints after witness testimony
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Summary
After council members read testimony from Department of Emergency Communications employees alleging harassment and stalled grievance processes, the Council adopted a substituted nonbinding resolution urging the administration to follow through on accountability and reporting steps; the resolution passed 35–0 with one abstention.
The Metro Council unanimously approved a substitute resolution asking the mayor’s administration to pursue workplace reforms and to report back on steps taken at the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC).
Sponsors said the substitute narrows earlier language but keeps the central request: the administration should document steps taken to investigate and address employee complaints and provide public updates. During debate, the sponsor read a first‑person account from a DEC employee who described alleged harassment, delays in grievance handling and a hostile work environment. The Council adopted the substitute and approved the resolution as substituted by roll call, 35 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention.
The substitute asks administration to implement two simple, staff‑oriented requests from the Ogletree Deakins report: an FAQ or guidance page for staff about complaint processes and clearer notifications when policies change — steps intended to improve employee awareness of processes and actions under way. Council member Stiles and other supporters framed the resolution as a request for the administration to follow established investigatory and disciplinary processes and to keep Council and staff informed of progress.
What’s next: The resolution is nonbinding but directs the administration to report to Council about implementation steps. The Council recorded the vote as 35 in favor and 1 abstention.