Snyder investigating state worker harassment in U.P.

[TexasTowelie]

LANSING – Gov. Rick Snyder's administration is investigating allegations that managers at an Upper Peninsula state government office have harassed employees and may have broken state law.

In a letter to Snyder last week, state Rep. John Kivela, D-Marquette, said he's heard "stories of employee intimidation, bullying, sexual harassment, and … an overall hostile work environment" at the Marquette branch of the Department of Health & Human Services. State workers also "shared with us concerns over official records manipulation and other legal violations," Kivela wrote to Snyder.

Kristie Carpenter, a children's service specialist who's worked at the Marquette office for two years, described managers who give unfair discipline and yell and swear at employees in front of others. She said she's fallen behind on her work only when her caseload exceeds federal limits, and managers discipline employees for getting behind without helping them catch up.

She said the office needs not only new management, but new training to improve communication between managers and employees and restore trust.

Read more: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/capitol/2017/04/13/snyder-investigating-state-worker-harassment-up/100365020/

[Kaleva]

1. DHHS staff have a very tough job as it is

They often deal with parents who have mental health and/or substance abuse problems. I'm a former foster parent and have extensive experience working with DHHS staff and I don't envy them. Fortunately, their managers are very supportive .