The appearance of two witnesses – one employee and one former employee of the city of Austin – at Wednesday’s City Council Audit and Finance Committee added a sense of urgency to the findings of an outside auditor’s report on the city’s practices in investigating harassment, discrimination and retaliation in the workforce. The audit, conducted […]
Austin Human Resources Department
This city department oversees city employees, who number over 12,000 strong.
Posted inCity Hall
Union protests some new HR rules
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has expressed concern about language in proposed amendments to the city’s policy regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation and employee conduct. The rules opposed by the union, which represents city employees, include language that would govern employee conduct outside the workplace, even when an employee is off duty, […]
Posted inCity Hall
Report details more accusations at Neighborhood Housing and Community Development
A report on 15 separate allegations involving current and former management-level employees of the city’s Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department shows that Betsy Spencer, the department’s former director, made numerous decisions in an apparent attempt to shield one employee, Steve Ritchie, from complaints about his behavior. The report, written by attorney Connie Cornell and […]
Posted inCity Hall
Sexual harassment and retaliation claims haunt Austin’s housing department
By Jo Clifton, Cate Malek and Elizabeth Pagano City of Austin documents show that employees in the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department have made numerous complaints involving inappropriate behavior, a hostile work environment, sexual harassment and retaliation over the past five years. Many of those complaints revolve around Steve Ritchie, director of construction and […]
Posted inBudget
Expanded health insurance may cost too much
A memorandum prepared by City of Austin staff reveals that a potential plan to expand health insurance coverage to temporary and contract employees could cost close to $13 million. Human Resources and Civil Service Director Mark Washington sent the memo to Mayor Steve Adler and City Council members May 6 in response to a resolution passed […]