Mariposa County Grand Jury Releases 2013-2014 Investigative Report on Personnel Issues in Human Services

Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 January 2014 09:09
January 8, 2014

This years Grand Jury launched an investigation into the Human Services Department after hearing of Mariposa County Planning Director Jim Rydingsword's planned resignation, formal complaints and a letter of concern.

This investigation centered on personnel issues impacting delivery of services provided by the department.

All Human Services employees were invited to participate in an anonymous survey. With 108 employees there were 53 responses with 11 of those not indicating what division of Human Services they work in. 3 of the 53 responses came from senior management (75% return rate), 9 from supervisors (56% return rate) and 41 from line staff and lead workers (47% return rate).

The survey inquired into nine areas of the Human Services work environment: training, communication, appraisals, organization, management, recognition, career advancement, satisfaction and aspects of their division within Human Services. The employees could also provide a written response to each statement. Also included in the survey were three questions: (1) How would you rate your overall experience working for Human Services? (2) Would you refer others seeking employment to Human Services, and if not, why not? (3) If you had an opportunity to make any single change at Human Services what would they be?

Former employees, line staffers, supervisors, deputy directors and the current acting director John Lawless were also interviewed.

From the surveys and interviews the Grand Jury found that management and staff provided very different responses, with management liking their jobs and staying with the department while staff has high turnover and dissatisfaction. There are areas of poor relationships between management and staff and there is low moral and happiness at Human Services.

The Grand Jury recommends: (1) Human Services make it a priority to address and resolve the personnel issues. (2) that personnel conflicts have policies and procedures immediately written and implemented along with no employee retaliation. (3) the Board of Supervisors when hiring a new Director for the department make sure the person has the capacity and determination to lead the effort to build a new organization showing more respect for the employees.

The Mariposa County Supervisors have ninety days to to respond with a written response after they receive this report.

The Grand Jury also requests the Acting Human Services Director provide a written response to the reports findings and recommendations.

Find the report at: http://ca-mariposacounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/27024 http://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/mariposa-daily-news-2014/169-january/11602-mariposa-county-grand-jury-releases-2013-2014-investigative-report-on-personnel-issues-in-human-services-