TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Human Resources Department On The Mend

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: June 5, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The reorganization of Hernando County's Human Resources Department is coming along just fine, said Jerry Haines, who recently completed his first month as interim director.

Morale is high and things are moving on the right track, Haines said.

"We work as a team and that's how we're getting things done," he said. "And we're getting a lot of support from the other departments."

County Commissioner Rose Rocco said she is confident that the embattled HR department is on the mend.

And the credit for all this is going to County Administrator David Hamilton, who moved quickly to repair the damage done by a scathing legal review and audit report of the department.

After the upheaval caused by the forced resignation of former human resources director Barbara Dupre, Hamilton formed two committees.

One committee was charged with finding a permanent replacement for Dupre. Haines, the department's HR workers' compensation and safety coordinator, was chosen interim director while that committee continues to meet.

So far, no decision as to who gets the directorship.

The second committee has a broader focus - to look into the deeper problems that have been allowed to fester over the years in the department. That committee is looking into the management deficiencies identified by an outside legal firm and allow the county to "start rebuilding policies and practices," according to Hamilton.

This "policies and procedures" group, headed by Deputy Administrator Larry Jennings, has met once and already has taken steps.

The committee has reviewed the personnel policies and categorized them down to about 10, Haines said.

Closely being examined is the department's policies on harassment and disciplinary standards - two areas that Dupre was criticized for prior to her resignation.

The major thrust is uniformity, Haines said. The committee wants to make sure all personnel policies are applied the same in every department.

Haines said committee members are also looking at other counties' personnel policies to see if they could work here.

Community Relations Coordinator Brenda Frazier said the committees are addressing the culture of the entire organization and, to that end, the process is moving forward.

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT