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Hernando Today

Questions Raised About Employee's Absences

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: December 11, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - County Administrator David Hamilton said Wednesday the investigation into a utility department worker's job absences has nothing to do with racial harassment.

It's an attendance issue, he said, and making sure one of its employees has valid documentation for taking so many days off.

The public, he said, has a right to expect county employees to be on the job if they are getting paid.

The investigation centers on Jason Booker, 21. Three county utility department workers received varying disciplinary punishments in April 2008 after it was determined they had racially harassed Booker.

"That's all behind us," Hamilton said.
Assistant County Attorney Jon Jouben also said this latest matter "is completely unrelated" to the April racial harassment incident.

But Booker's mother, Martha Rodriguez, said the issue is very much about discrimination and has sought the help of a state senator to take a harder look into the local goings-on.

Rodriguez alleges that Booker continues to be harassed because of the April incidents and this latest attempt to make her son verify his absences is retaliation.

Hamilton said utility department officials asked Booker to submit a note excusing his several absences.

Booker provided a note from the Department of Health but it was unsigned and there is a question as to its authenticity, Hamilton said.

Elizabeth Callaghan, administrator of the Hernando County Health Department, declined to comment while the investigation continues.

In an attempt to resolve the issue, a meeting was arranged between Booker and Human Resources Director Cheryl Marsden.

The meeting took place but Booker asked to be represented by an attorney before answering questions.
Marsden said Wednesday it will likely be next week before another meeting is held.

Booker has called in sick 11 times from December 2007 to November 2008, according to HR records.

Booker was given a verbal warning Aug. 22 for excessive use of sick time, which caused him to go on a no-pay status "more than once," according to HR records.

And he was required to provide a doctor's note as proof of illness for future sick leave absences.

Rodriguez, senior community health nurse for the Health Department, said it is not department policy to provide signed notes, given the sensitive nature of patients' visits.

She said her son had visited the department to get information on hepatitis because he works around sewer water.

Rodriguez said the matter also raises possible health privacy issues.

Meanwhile, Sen. Paula Dockery's office confirmed that Rodriguez e-mailed her last Friday. The senator is reviewing the letter and will respond at the appropriate time, a spokeswoman said.

In the letter, Rodriguez alleges her son took so many days off because of stress and anxiety from discrimination dating back to April 2008 when she assisted her son in filing a discrimination charge against some county utility department workers, one of whom was her son's direct supervisor.

Rodriguez is asking Dockery to protect the civil rights of herself and her son.

"It was horrible the first time, and I can't imagine going through it again, but at the same time, my anxiety level is incredibly high (and) my son is suffering intense retaliation at every turn," she wrote."

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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