Glenn County Grand jury looks at HRA allegations

Friday, Jul 10 2009, 8:32 pm
By Rick Longley/Staff writer

The county Human Resource Agency comes under fire in the 2008-2009 Glenn County grand jury report for allegations of a hostile work environment, inconsistent employment practices and accounting irregularities.

Following an October investigation, allegations of drug and alcohol abuse by employees on the job also surfaced, the report states, as did claims that hiring, firing and promotion practices used by the agency were inconsistent with its policies and procedures.

“Many of the staff at HRA have very high stress occupations, coupled with what many describe as a hostile working environment,” says the report released last week. “They spoke of public humiliation, ridicule and verbal contempt from upper management. Some employees have been blatantly threatened with the loss of their jobs through harassment and intimidation.”

Glenn County HRA Director Kim Gaghagen, who is not mentioned by name in the report, retired June 30. Public Health Director Scott Gruendl is serving as interim HRA director until a replacement is found.

Gruendl said the agency’s formal response to the grand jury is due by Aug. 28, and Gaghagen left him a draft response to develop.

“Most of the grand jury recommendations about the HRA have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented,” Gruendl said.

He identified an unnamed deputy director of administration mentioned in the report as Sean Munns, who resigned after being out on medical leave for several months. Munns was arrested outside his ex-wife’s Willows home in May 2008 in an incident he later attributed to a bad reaction to prescription medication. No charges were ever filed, a Glenn County sheriff’s spokesman confirmed Thursday.

Gahagen directed the agency for several years and was in charge last year when the grand jury was conducting its investigation. Gruendl said he could not comment on whether the alleged misconduct could be attributed to Gahagen or Munns, or whether they were the subjects of the grand jury’s allegations. Munns’ position remains unfilled.

Financial patchwork
The grand jury report did not specify any financial problems at the agency due to mismanagement, but recommended a complete audit by an independent agency.
“A number of employees stated that funds are being funneled away from the intended purpose and the designated programs,” the report states. “Accounts are billed and paid to other divisions under the HRA umbrella. Currently, audits are performed on individual departments as well as specific grants; however, the agency is not audited each year due to the vast number of programs.”

Among other programs, HRA oversees employment services to county residents, In-Home Supportive Services, Child Protective Services, and housing and public assistance programs. Gruendl said the county’s finance department has outside auditors review the books of various HRA programs annually, although the entire agency is not audited every year.

As for the hiring and firing of employees, Gruendl said Glenn County’s personnel department handles most of these functions along with the State Personnel Board, since many HRA employees fall under the state merit system.

The county also has a drug and alcohol abuse policy in place for alleged abuse on the job with specific criteria for testing employees suspected of such abuse in the workplace, Gruendl said.

Gruendl said he plans to meet with middle and upper managers to get their thoughts on how the agency is working, and may do an online survey of employees so he can understand the morale issues facing the HRA.

Glenn County Chief Administrative Officer David Shoemaker said last week he had no comment on the HRA report. Outgoing grand jury foreman Robert A. Gillam also said he could not discuss the report with anyone outside the jury.


http://www.orland-press-register.com/news/allegations-3768-jury-inconsistent.html