Brandon Twp.- Former library director JoAnn Gavey says she was blindsided by a two-week investigation against her that ultimately resulted in her termination by the library board.
As a result, Gavey has contacted an attorney.
‘I am not going to let this lie,? Gavey said last week. ‘I can’t. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. I have to stand up for what is right.?
The library board called a special meeting on March 8 after the board learned of a verbal and possibly physical confrontation between Gavey and several department heads. At the closed session meeting, the board placed Gavey on a two-week paid administrative leave in order to investigate complaints against her.
Board President Margaret Lee, Vice-President Matt Ault and Trustee Frank Genovese were the members of a fact-finding committee that interviewed 18 different staff members as well as several former library employees. On March 23, at an open meeting of the library board, the committee reported their findings, which included three areas of concern regarding Gavey? management of personnel, policies and finances. The committee members said interviewees reported harassment based on their appearance (including weight, dress, and hair length), as well as inappropriate contact, that left them feeling ‘intimidated, insulted, harassed, and discriminated against.?
An inconsistent application of policy was also reported and Gavey’s purchases for the library were questioned as ‘superficial and unnecessary expenditures to staff after they had made the sacrifice of a week without pay for the great good of the library.?
Gavey says it all came as a surprise to her.
‘I had a good 11 years,? she said. ‘I thought the staff and I got along wonderfully. I never spoke to anyone about their weight except in a positive manner. When I read that report, I don’t recognize myself… I told the library board that in my estimation and opinion, they should be ashamed of themselves for such a report to be written. I have never handled an employee the way they have handled me. There is no documentation I have ever handled anyone in this manner. There is none, because I’ve never treated anyone that way. The reputation of the library and me has been sullied in such a manner. I cannot get over it.?
Library board members acknowledge that Gavey had only good annual performance evaluations, but had never been evaluated on her handling of the staff, as they didn’t want to undermine her authority.
Lee says that although the library board has an open-door policy, they discovered during the fact-finding process that employees didn’t use the policy for fear of being fired.
‘We had more than one person say ‘If she comes back, you’re going to have a multitude of resignations,?? Lee said of the investigation. ‘The sad thing is it got to that crisis point. We are going to change policy so we will have a window on the employees? world.?
Lee adds that she doesn’t understand how Gavey could be surprised by the investigation and resulting termination.
‘No ordinary person would have been blind-sided,? Lee said. ‘Perhaps that is part of her problem that she couldn’t see this. You just don’t treat people the way they were being treated and she is an at-will employee. She’s done a lot of good things for the library and our community, but the situation became so complex that a probationary period or whatever wouldn’t have done it.?