Tampa council members looking into city employee complaints about harassment, discrimination
The Brief
Tampa city council members listened to a series of former city employee complaints about alleged discrimination and harassment.
City Council voted to look into hiring an independent employee attorney to analyze complaints.
Council was presented a list of former employees who left in recent years, allegedly due to a bad work environment.
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa City Council members listened to a series of complaints from former City of Tampa employees about alleged discrimination and harassment during the council's workshop on Thursday.
Council members voted to look into hiring an independent employment attorney to analyze the complaints and determine what the city's response should be.
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What they're saying
The discussion about employee grievances, which was brought up by Councilman Bill Carlson, follows accusations from two former members of the city's Mobility Department, who said they experienced discrimination because they were working mothers.
"I've had at least 100 calls like this and many of them I'm in tears like we all felt just now, because you don't know what to do and what to help them," Carlson said. "Individuals who have reported to me that they feel discriminated against feel like there may be retribution. They feel like they may be turned into a political pawn."
Council was presented with a list of more than a dozen former employees, some who held higher-ranking positions, who allegedly left in recent years due to a bad work environment.
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Carlson, however, said the list doesn't include union-represented workers, such as police and firefighters, who have also left.
Councilman Charlie Miranda said the situation is so concerning, he suggested turning to law enforcement.
"I want an investigation from the top at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, see if there is criminal [conduct]," Miranda said.
What we don't know
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor's office declined to comment on Thursday, and the mobility department deferred to the mayor's office.
MORE: Man accused of ramming Hillsborough deputy's vehicle gets bond after strong words from judge: 'Depraved mind'
What's next
The city's chief of staff, John Bennett, told council any concerns raised during employee exit interviews should have been reviewed.
"Things that are routine or repeatable are discussed for continuous improvement. So those things do work up and down the organization," Bennett said.
The Source
The information in this story was gathered through Tampa City Council's workshop on Thursday.
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