Hostile Work Environment, Sexual Misconduct Charges Alleged Against Property Management In Baltimore County

Timika Grant, a 33 year old Custodial Worker 1, filed an EEOC complaint against Baltimore County on September 18, alleging sexual misconduct against her supervisor Tony Bryant while other employees complained of a hostile work environment in which a police report was filled.

In the complaint filed by Ms. Grant she alleges her custodial supervisor, Tony Bryant, started calling her personal cell phone number after making an unwanted sexual favor request at the county picnic.  Mr. Bryant asked Ms. Grant if she wanted to hang out and she responded no because he was her supervisor.  It was at this point that Mr. Bryant allegedly told Ms. Grant he could make her working environment “bad.”

Ms. Grant stated prior to her encounter with Mr. Bryant she had only one counseling form working at other locations and while under Mr. Bryant’s supervision she had four filed against her by Mr. Bryant in a short matter of time.  She further stated she tried to meet with her boss The Director of Property Management George Klunk, to mediate the situation and no action was taken.  Ms. Grant further stated that Mr. Klunk told her to clean the building while using profanity.  In another attempt to rectify the situation Ms. Grant said she also went to the union before filing her complaint.

Several employees who spoke on condition of anonymity fearing retaliation spoke of profane language being used constantly by Mr. Klunk.   At one point Ms. Grant walked by a partially open door and allegedly heard Mark Neal, another supervisor, speak of treating the custodial workers “mean” in an effort to force them out in so the county doesn’t have to  pay unemployment.

The hours of the custodial workers were changed from the normal day shift of 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.  One high ranking county official said he felt the move was made to force out the custodians in order to bring in contract workers to which no benefits would have to be paid.

The police report emanated after Mr. Bryant allegedly recorded a conversation with an employee. When the employee found out they contacted the Baltimore County Police Department which wrote a report which was then forwarded to the county state’s attorney’s office because it is illegal to record a person’s voice without permission.  A police report number involving the incident was confirmed.

Ms. Grant wanted people to know that when supervisors deal with workers they should act professionally and treat them with respect.

A phone call seeking a comment from Mr. Klunk was not returned and Baltimore County’s Deputy Director of Communications Ellen Kobler refused comment on my first phone call and did not return my second call.