Unethical Inyo County Termination Pracitices

I feel that Inyo County engages in unethical termination practices, at least in one department.

In May, 2008 I began work in Social Services after relocating from the San Francisco Bay Area. Having completed my graduate degree, I was
looking forward to my new job and building a rewarding and productive life in the beautiful Owen's Valley.

After struggling financially through college, I did not have the means to pay for my move, so I borrowed money from my family to come to Bishop. I thought I would get through the 6 month probationary period without any trouble, as I was motivated and qualified for the position I was hired for.

After about a month I asked my supervisor how she thought I was doing. Her reply was, "So far, so good." About this time, a rather strange remark was made to me by the Director of Health and Human Services. During a training she came by the table I was seated at to greet those present. When she saw me, she said, "Oh, you're still here." I was surprised, but passed it
off as a jest, as the Director appeared to be in good humor. I had not had any other previous contact with the HSS director.

I enjoyed my job, and I appeared to get along well with both my coworkers and my supervisors. Whenever my supervisors or coworkers offered their guidance or feedback, I paid attention and did my best to implement their instructions. I truly gave my best efforts to do a good job and live up to the expectations of my employer.

Therefore, it came as a complete shock to me when my supervisor called me out of a staff meeting on the morning of June 23 to inform me that my employment was terminated as of that day. When I asked the reason why, I was told, "I can not tell you. I do not have to provide a reason, as you
are on probation." I was directed to Inyo County Personnel and told by my former supervisor, "They will have more information for you." Personnel could not provide a reason for my termination, nor did a review of my personnel file reveal one.

I understand that Inyo County has a six month probationary period for new employees. This I accept. However, it makes no sense to me that the County would invest so much time and money in recruiting, hiring, and training a new employee then fire them without providing the new person
the opportunity to make whatever improvements might be necessary to their preformance. This seems a waste of money and people.

I now leave Inyo County with a bitter taste in my mouth, and a warning about its termination practices for my colleagues.

Teri Goodson wrote:

I feel that Inyo County engages in unethical termination practices, at least in one department.
In May, 2008 I began work in Social Services after relocating from the San Francisco Bay Area. Having completed my graduate degree, I was
looking forward to my new job and building a rewarding and productive life in the beautiful Owen's Valley.
After struggling financially through college, I did not have the means to pay for my move, so I borrowed money from my family to come to Bishop. I thought I would get through the 6 month probationary period without any trouble, as I was motivated and qualified for the position I was hired for.
After about a month I asked my supervisor how she thought I was doing. Her reply was, "So far, so good." About this time, a rather strange remark was made to me by the Director of Health and Human Services. During a training she came by the table I was seated at to greet those present. When she saw me, she said, "Oh, you're still here." I was surprised, but passed it
off as a jest, as the Director appeared to be in good humor. I had not had any other previous contact with the HSS director.
I enjoyed my job, and I appeared to get along well with both my coworkers and my supervisors. Whenever my supervisors or coworkers offered their guidance or feedback, I paid attention and did my best to implement their instructions. I truly gave my best efforts to do a good job and live up to the expectations of my employer.
Therefore, it came as a complete shock to me when my supervisor called me out of a staff meeting on the morning of June 23 to inform me that my employment was terminated as of that day. When I asked the reason why, I was told, "I can not tell you. I do not have to provide a reason, as you
are on probation." I was directed to Inyo County Personnel and told by my former supervisor, "They will have more information for you." Personnel could not provide a reason for my termination, nor did a review of my personnel file reveal one.
I understand that Inyo County has a six month probationary period for new employees. This I accept. However, it makes no sense to me that the County would invest so much time and money in recruiting, hiring, and training a new employee then fire them without providing the new person
the opportunity to make whatever improvements might be necessary to their preformance. This seems a waste of money and people.
I now leave Inyo County with a bitter taste in my mouth, and a warning about its termination practices for my colleagues.

Teri,
I too was terminated without cause in a very similar fashion by the Inyo County HHS Director after three months of work in her department in a social services position in February 2008.
I regret the bitter experience you had in Inyo County and am embarrassed by the department's disregard for your service to the county and you personally.
I am also dismayed at the personnel practices and utter waste of county resources, not to mention the neglect of the needs of the citizens and patrons of social services who were displaced.
In my particular case, clients-patrons were not allowed any opportunity to exercise their right to end their relationship in an appropriate manner which I find irresponsible and potentially damaging. The dismissive attitude regarding these persons is incorrigible.
Being raised here, I had long hoped to return to Inyo County to give back to the community that had given me so much some twenty years ago. It is sad and disappointing to see these types of practices in our local government, particularly in the very department that should know something about the fair and ethical treatment of people!

L Simpson wrote:

<quoted text>
Teri,
I too was terminated without cause in a very similar fashion by the Inyo County HHS Director after three months of work in her department in a social services position in February 2008.
I regret the bitter experience you had in Inyo County and am embarrassed by the department's disregard for your service to the county and you personally.
I am also dismayed at the personnel practices and utter waste of county resources, not to mention the neglect of the needs of the citizens and patrons of social services who were displaced.
In my particular case, clients-patrons were not allowed any opportunity to exercise their right to end their relationship in an appropriate manner which I find irresponsible and potentially damaging. The dismissive attitude regarding these persons is incorrigible.
Being raised here, I had long hoped to return to Inyo County to give back to the community that had given me so much some twenty years ago. It is sad and disappointing to see these types of practices in our local government, particularly in the very department that should know something about the fair and ethical treatment of people!

I once worked for them and resigned because I felt VERY Uncomfortable with their training and management practices. They will hire the unqualified and treat the qualified with disregard to their experience and education. In addition; their salaries are well below any salary standard average. Yet they behave towards the employee like the employee owes them. They lack respect for their hard working employee. This is not the first time I heard of this kind if treatment, I belief it is county culture to treat employees like this. They should have a standardized MOU guidelines on termination of all employees permanent and those on probation. Keep in mind in this area and in Bishop it is the good old boy network, perhaps they wanted to give your job to some else. It is my belief, that the county beliefs that they are untouchable. I am sorry that you both experienced this, I strongly recommend that you take your experience to an attorney(not a local one), teach them a lesson. Make your experiences public do not give them anonymity!