Press release on hostile workplace investigation

PRESS RELEASE

Special to the Herald Times

RBC I On July 13, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners of Rio Blanco County authorized the county attorney’s office to contract with Employers Council to conduct an independent investigation into allegations made by six current or former employees of a hostile work environment.

A hostile work environment must meet legal criteria.  According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), an environment can become hostile when the following occurs:

Unwelcome conduct, or harassment, based on race, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disabliity or genetics, and the harassment is continued and long lasting, and it is severe enought that the environemnt becomes intimidating, offensive or abusive. 

On or about Sept. 23, 2021, Employers Council provided a detailed report to County Attorney Donald L. Steerman regarding the investigation. The conclusion of the report states as following:

“Six current and former RBC employees perceive they have been subjected to a ‘hostile work environment’ by the Board and/or other RBC employees. Five complaints did not assert any protected classification. One employee, (redacted) claims the Board took alleged action against her because of her political beliefs, but that is not a protected classification.” (underline added for emphasis)

While the report addresses several allegations, it is important to note that the specific claim of a hostile work environment was not substantiated by the investigation. At this time, the full report cannot be released either through the county attorney’s office or a CORA request. This report is currently being held by the county attorney as an attorney work product. 

Since there are items in the report that potentially could necessitate further investigation, or other agency response may be warranted, the report cannot be released at this time.  Once these items have been addressed, Steerman recommends that the report be redacted and released pursuant to the CORA statute. 

During a special meeting held Oct. 5, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners approved a specific waiver of the attorney client privilege for the attorney to summarize the findings of the hostile workplace investigations. The full memo from County Attorney Donald L. Steerman to the Board can be reviewed at www.rbc.us, or read it below.