Victim Of Sexual Harassment Case in County Fired Over The Phone
Tomika Grant, who filed a Hostile Work/Sexual harassment case against Baltimore County stated she was fired on 11/15/12 over the phone by voice mail which violates the Baltimore County Charter.
The following is a quote from Ms. Joann Famolaro as heard by this blogger over the phone voice mail of Ms. Grant:
“Tomika, this is Joann Famolaro, you will receive your termination papers through the mail, thanks." (click)
I called Ms. Falolaro’s extension and received no response. I left a voice mail message and received no response.
This violates the Baltimore County Charter under the Human Resources section which requires a certain protocol to be followed in the termination of a county employee. The charter reads partly as follows:
“Rule 15.02. No employee in the classified service may be dismissed without first being given reasons or charges, stated in writing, furnishing the employee with specific information as to why the action is contemplated, and reasonable advance notice of the proposed action shall be given to the employee.
Rule 15.03. The appointing authority shall give fair and objective consideration to the employee's reply to any statement of charges brought against him in a dismissal action, and the employee shall have the right to appear before the appointing authority in person to answer to the charges after first making answer in writing. If the appointing authority then determines that the dismissal contemplated shall be executed, the employee shall be immediately removed from his job, and his entire file shall be forwarded promptly to the Director of Human Resources.
This new round all started when Ms. Grant returned to work after being on sick leave over this issue. Upon arriving at the Eastern Family Resource Center in Rosedale, and meeting her supervisor who began to show her the layout of the building again, Ms. Grant became ill and asked permission to go back to Property Management Director George Klunk’s office in hopes of getting a transfer. Upon arriving at Mr. Klunk’s office she attempted to talk to Mr. Klunk when according to Ms. Grant, Mr. Klunk told her she had to go back to the Resource Center or be fired.
According to Ms. Grant, she then went to Human Resources and spoke to State Del. Adrienne Jones who was appointed to the Department of Human Resources by Police Chief Jim Johnson. Del. Jones stated to Ms. Grant, contact your immediate supervisor and tell him you are on your way back to work. At that time Tomika called her supervisor Ted Johnson and replied she had been at HR and was on her way back to work. Mr. Johnson told her not to come back. Mr. Johnson was told by Brian Brzozowski, another supervisor, to tell Tomika not to come back to work but did not say why.
The reason for Klunk's abusive behavior, according to Ms. Grant, was that Del. Jones said Mr. Klunk was a no-nonsense guy. Del. Jones also advised her to go back to work. Del. Jones also sits on the police promotional board which I also blogged about.
In a three-way phone conversation including the woman whose voice is heard on the phone firing Ms. Grant, Jo Anne Famolaro along with Mr. Klunk and Mr. Mark Neal, Ms. Grant stated that Mr. Klunk told her that she shouldn’t have gone back to HR after leaving his office.
I contacted Ms. Ellen Kobler, a spokeswoman for Baltimore County, who emailed the following comment:
“Hello Mr. Beeler,
I have consulted with Human Resources and your questions relate to personnel matters which we cannot discuss publicly.
Thanks,
Ellen”
Buzz Beeler
3:41 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012
She was never told she was fired. I guess they don't read the charter. Also she has tried for three days to reach the union rep Norman Anderson without success.
I guess it's just one big happy family.
Christopher Kidwell
4:48 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
This is going to lead to a lawsuit, I can already see it. Fired just after you make a sexual harassment claim? I can already see the lawyers rightly salivating over this.
When you do this in any business or government position, fire someone who has made an allegation like this, it's like stripping naked, slathering yourself in barbecue sauce, and then throwing yourself to the wolves.
You must want to get eaten.
Steve
11:37 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012
Well, it looks like you finally accomplished something. Happy Now??
Oh my this is terrible
7:38 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
We must remember that there is always three sides to the story. Her side, their side and the truth. The more I read about this, it just sounds fishy on all accounts. I'm quite sure she will sue. I'm just curious of the missing blanks in this story. If you are feeling sick why go to human resources? Why not ask to go home or to the doctor? Did she get permission to leave her site to go to property management? Why go to human resources instead of going back to the site instead of trying to go over Mr. Klunks head
and talk to someone else while you are still on the clock? She will probubly was sited for insurbordination for not going back to work. These questions and more will be asked on this case.
Her mother
10:24 pm on Saturday, November 17, 2012
First and for most my daughter should not been put back to Eastern Family Center.After she had an emotional break down there George Gay,George Klunk,Joanna Famlaro,and lets not forget the state delegate A.Jones.They pretty much brought her back to go rid of her.They had her on sick leave after the break down 9/25/12 til 11/14/12 which cause her emotional distress.Her being put back to the same evironment trigger her break down.They rush so fast to get her away from there and messed up big times.Every time I hear that message I crack up laughing.Not only that she got no oral,written,suspend they jump right to it smdh.I going with her to sue.And George Klunk treats his employees bad and they fear him cause he friend with KK,Holman and Gay and dating Holman sister and lets not forget bout the number cruncher Keith Dorsery.Who has plans off contracting out everything he can so they can get raises.I used to work in the health department.So,I know first hand what kind of things that gos on in the County.Thank you Beeler for writing this story it needs to get everywhere it can get.Oh my this is terrible my daughter tried to talk to get her point across and yes she got permission from Ted Johnson.There is no rule human resources have that you cant talk to some one else while on the clock.Timika went thought the chain of command unlike them.She also told me that Eastern Family Center didnt have heat since she was last there and could not take her coat off.
Buzz Beeler
8:54 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
Sadly this lady was not prepared to work in an emotionally troubled environment. From the calls that I received the shop was run like a dictatorship and others suffer also.
There is a problem with leadership and it starts with Kamenetz.
For Del. Jones to make the comment that is Klunk's style to be abusive is ludicrous and unprofessional. I'm getting some more information on the Del. Jones.
This is a case for an attorney. The county violated it's own charter the way they did the ADA case.
They asked for it and they will get it. You don't treat people this way.
I have another blog coming out that will expose more corruption and the question will be why was this allowed to happen. Maybe it's time for Schellenberger to step aside. He seems to turn his head a lot.
Buzz Beeler
10:37 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
Oh I find it strange that you seem to defend Klunk and yet remember the name Homan? Who took his time off the clock while he was supposed to be working? He might have be breathing hard but I don't think that qualifies as work.
What is interesting to me is that we have an American hero in General Petraeus who removes himself because of an affair. On the County side the man claimed to save the county millions in his fiscal policies - not - has an affair in plain view with another high profile county employee - county attorney - and he is rewarded with a raise and a promotion. He is costing the county millions in his mistakes and yet Kamenetz reappoints him, along with other cronies to their positions.
We need leadership not what we read in the Sun this morning.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-subpoeanas-20121116,0,4774951.story
John
11:43 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
Fred and the boys don't play by the same rules. Unethical and illegal practices go on in County government every day. Yes, there's more to this story and it's time for
an independent investigation.
Buzz Beeler
11:52 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
John, there is more going on than the state and you can count on that. I'll have something to say about that soon.
John
12:07 pm on Saturday, November 17, 2012
Taxpayers will be paying a settlement or fine to cover this one.
Buzz Beeler
11:17 am on Sunday, November 18, 2012
John, the taxpayers are paying and still will be paying just as they did in the ADA case and pension scandal.
Another round of ADA suits starts soon. Homan will be busy in court and he had better bring his check book.
Who do I blame; Kamenetz. He's a lawyer with about 18 years experience in government
He hires these people and votes to give them raises including himself.
Speaking of corruption where is Schellenberger? The state has to come in and clean his own house. Oh, I forgot about Jim Smith and you don't bite the had that feeds you. Ever hear of a story where Schellenberger ever even investigated one official, just one?
Buzz Beeler
11:09 pm on Saturday, November 17, 2012
Her mother, I am aware about the heat problem. I was going to blog on it. It is clearly a violation of MOSH and OSHA acts to subject employees to work in unheated buildings.
I understand the county has new heating units to be installed but that could take up too three weeks.
There may be also a problem with the units themselves. Employees are forced to bring in portable heaters another issue. Some compassion and possible understanding could have avoided a lot of this.
Buzz Beeler
11:24 pm on Saturday, November 17, 2012
County Council Chairman John Olszewski Sr. said the council supports Kamenetz’s proposals. “Any time you can make improvements in having transparent government, that is what you should strive to do,” he said.
Another quote from the article: "Kamenetz also plans to issue an executive order today, creating a code of conduct for county employees. The order names the county attorney the “chief public ethics officer” and designates department heads as “public ethics officers” who must notify the county attorney of all questions raised about ethical behavior."
Steve
1:34 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2012
KK is not making County government more transparent. It's all "smoke and mirrors".
His leadership team is filled with employees who fail to follow any acceptable ethical code of conduct. Councilman Olszewski's ethical behavior has been questioned many times. He should not be making comments about this subject.
Buzz Beeler
6:31 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2012
That was my point. The quotes were taken from a Sun article some time ago which to me mean that he is not following through his statements. Just another photo op for a executive that lacks leadership by saying things he does not mean.
More people are contacting me about this ongoing story about the problems there. You would think this Mr. Klunk might want to rethink his management style. This all reflects on the county executive and his leadership.
Honest Worker
1:25 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Her story is not true she was at glen arm to visit her friends. She was seen there and then she was asked to come into the office to see what was going on. She refused her job assignment so what else is left. This girl does not want to work she just wants to sue the Co. She has worked all over the Co and can't get her work done anywhere she goes between talking on the phone and talking to everyone at work. So what do you suggest would you want her hanging in your office not working if so why don't you hire her. She's a waste all she has are excuses!!!!!
Buzz Beeler
5:46 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I guess you would rather work under Tony, no pun intended.
Honest Worker
9:02 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
No pun taken. I don't WORK UNDER ANYONE!! Just do the job that is expected from me. Iv never been written up or have any problems with my bosses. And if any of them tried anything with me the first time would be the last time.
Buzz Beeler
9:46 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Ms. Grant had one writeup before working for Mr. Bryant. Suddenly she had three from Bryant alone. It appears that she did not comply with his demands.
By the way Mr. Bryant was indicted by Judge Cavanaugh for his action against another victim.
I would say by the tone of you comment you are quite cable of handling yourself and do a good job. I commend you for that. Others are not so capable of defending themselves.
Read up on the Catholic Church and their problems.
Honest Worker
10:12 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Well thank you. I hope all goes well for Miss Grant. She just needs to work hard and do the right thing and her life will change.She needs to worry about her children and show them how strong she is. She should have reported her problems as soon as it happened, she had a union, she should have told Mr Bryant she was going to report him as soon as he harassed her.
Buzz Beeler
10:36 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
I can't take sides, but I know where your coming from. You care and take pride in your job and don't let people bully you. There are a lot of things I can't say because I was not there and saw how people worked.
I have been in situations where I have and those workers, in my opinion cost my mother's life. When you have to tell her own doctor and force him to check that she has pneumonia and can't breath there is a problem.
Jenn
4:51 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
i think your comment if VERY uncalled for from someone who is not suppose to take sides . Just because someone has an opinion different then yours does not give you the right to insult them. We ALL read how Timeka wanted to stay home and get paid. I'm sure the lawsuit will following shortly. Like someone said earlier, 3 sides to this story...Timeka's side, the county's side, and the truth!! However, i would LOVE to be on this jury!!!
Buzz Beeler
7:03 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Jenn, I was talking about a nursing home and how they treat their patients, not this article.
kwayshawn
8:30 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
She should suck a dick with a soda......