1991-20246-Minutes for Meeting June 13,1991 Recorded 7/11/199191-20246 11;�,..Gf�—►AED 0107 0636
X111.2
MINUTES
DECISION ON JANICE SHANNON DISMISSAL GRIEVA$V-1@U11 I ; P11 12;
DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ',
June 13, 1991 fJ Erb
Chairman Maudlin called the meeting to order at 11 a.m. Board
members in attendance were Dick Maudlin, Tom throop, and Nancy Pope
Schlangen. Also present were Rick Isham, County Counsel; Oscar
Bratton, County Assessor; Joan Rotsolk, Deputy Assessor; John
Wurst, Chief Property Appraiser; Janice Shannon, grievant; and Bill
Hopp, attorney for Ms. Shannon.
Commissioner Throop said he wanted to dispense with a couple of
collateral issues. Concerning the 1973 indictment out of Malheur
County and the allegation that there was some retribution taken
against an employee by Mr. Bratton, he said he didn't think it had
any bearing on Ms. Shannon's case. Concerning the allegation of
intimidation, he didn't see any substantive facts to support it.
It was his view that this case involved a probationary employee who
had an intolerable attendance record, and who demonstrated she
could not conform with the call in procedures. The administrative
rules dealt with the treatment employees would receive when they
showed up for work and did not deal with employees who were unable
to maintain regular attendance. He recognized that Ms. Shannon had
some physical problems, but many of her absences were not related
to that specific problem. He felt they had worked with the
employee and encouraged her to follow the procedures for calling
in sick. It was his view that the Board should support the action
taken by the Assessor.
Commissioner Schlangen said Ms. Shannon was a probationary employee
who was unable and unwilling to conform to the work rules, and who
had, by her absenteeism, demonstrated her inability to perform the
required duties of the job. She felt the County had followed its
policies in both verbal and written notices. Each evaluation had
indicated a lack of production by Ms. Shannon. She felt Ms.
Shannon's attendance record was intolerable. Mr. Hopp's
allegations concerning the disabilities act were unfounded since
there was nothing in Ms. Shannon's record to indicate that her back
injury was not accommodated. She felt the allegations against Mr.
Bratton referring back to 1973 had no bearing on this case, and
there were no facts to support the intimidation allegation. She
agreed that Mr. Bratton proceeded correctly with the termination.
Chairman Maudlin mentioned that when Mr. Willis, previous Chief
Appraiser, was hired, he started working with all of the employees
on a dress code. Mr. Willis ended up with a stringent dress code,
which did not require ties or jackets, and was consistent
throughout Mr. Willis' time with the County. This dress code was
consistent through Mr. Willis' time with theounty. Chairman
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Maudlin continued that Ms. Shannon had a consistent record of
absenteeism, starting with the first month of her employment, which
increased the work load for the remainder of the staff.
When Mr. Isham questioned the ex parte issue, Mr. Hopp stated that
he had not challenged any member of the Board for ex parte
contacts, because the Board members said there had been none since
the grievance was filed.
THROOP: I'll move that the Board uphold the decision of the
Director of the Assessor's Department, the elected
Assessor, in this matter.
SCHLANGEN: Second that.
VOTE: THROOP: YES
SCHLANGEN: YES
MAUDLIN: YES
DESCHUT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
T Throo ommissioner
Nancy Po a Sc langen, Commis Toner
D3 and in, Chairman
BOCC:alb
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