Last Updated 3 weeks by Amnon J. Jobi | Amnon Front Page
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — At least 13 city employees have reported workplace concerns since Jan. 10, according to a meeting held by an investigative committee looking into harassment within city government.
In Jan. 10, city employees were notified about the new anonymous reporting site available to them. It’s the first time there’s been a permanent portal to report sexual harassment, nepotism, culture issues, discrimination and other concerns for city-county employees.
The site, with the indy.speakfullynow.com URL, allows submitters to include evidence, like texts or emails, in their report. The third-party platform and hotline says it provides a 24/7 live phone operator and interpreter.
It comes after a temporary system was launched last fall when three former employees said they were sexually harassed or abused by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former top aide, Thomas Cook. Other city leaders have subsequently been fired or resigned.
“This platform was chosen for its real time case management system that allows city and county employees to receive updates on their case, even if they choose to remain anonymous,” the city’s Director of Human Resources Twana Ellis said.
Since the site went live, 13 current or former employees have come forward with concerns.
City-County councilors expressed their shock and concern in a Wednesday committee meeting.
“So we got 13 complaints since January 10? So almost one a day?” City-County Councilor Brian Mowery, a Republican, said.
“Almost, yes,” Ellis said.
“That’s alarming, a big concern, I think, hopefully this committee can really take home and try to figure out where we’re going wrong because, that’s a lot,” Mowery said. “That’s a big number for 13 days. Having 13 complaints, that’s bad.”
Once the complaint is filed, HR begins investigating.
“Of these 13 complaints that we’ve received so far, we have just been actively in the system, making sure that we’re communicating,” Ellis said. “We are also trying to figure out if there’s a delay with anyone not responding in a timely manner that we want to give it enough time to let the person see our responses in the case management system.”
The committee was formed last fall to investigate harassment within city government.
“One of the first requests my colleagues and I on the Council made to the Administration was to establish an anonymous reporting line through a third party, and I appreciate their efforts in making that happen,” the chairwoman, Councilor Crista Carlino, a Democrat, said in a statement. “While I recognize that reports can come from both former and current employees at any time, I am encouraged to see people utilizing the new system. At the next investigative committee meeting, I will request an update on these cases and any new reports that have been filed. Ensuring transparency and accountability in our workplace is a priority, and this reporting system is an important step toward that goal.”
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