Home News Texas AACOG head retires amid allegations of ‘hostile work environment’

AACOG head retires amid allegations of ‘hostile work environment’

AACOG head retires amid allegations of ‘hostile work environment’

[my_adsense_shortcode_1]

San AntonioThis is a creating tale. Check again for updates.

The Alamo Area Council of Governments board allowed its besieged Executive Director Diane Rath to retire Wednesday amid allegations she had created a antagonistic work setting for staff.

The AACOG board voted with out opposition to just accept Rath’s resignation Wednesday morning following a closed door dialogue and public feedback from a half-dozen former workers who slammed her efficiency main AACOG since 2014.

“I want the public to understand that we’ve been working on this problem for some time. And we’ve had extensive discussions back and forth with Ms. Rath and her attorney. My motion is that, since Ms. Rath has indicated her desire to retire from AACOG effective today, I move that we accept her retirement request,” mentioned the board’s vice-chairman, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly.

Rath will likely be paid in the course of the finish of the yr and paid for her unused holiday days. There may also be a mutual waiver of any claims — necessarily an settlement that neither aspect will sue the opposite.

The board additionally voted to nominate AACOG General Counsel and Senior Director Clifford Herberg Jr. as the brand new govt director with a ten% pay bump and a overview in six months. Herberg have been filling in on the place all over Rath’s absence.

Reached in the course of the social media site X, previously referred to as Twitter, after the board assembly, Rath declined an interview however supplied the next written commentary:

I used to be privileged to function AACOG govt director the previous 9 years. I’m immensely proud of what the group has completed in rebuilding the company and the a couple of nationwide awards we’ve got gained. There are at all times some disgruntled workers however I’m proud of the board’s resolution and motion. I want AACOG endured good fortune sooner or later.

My complete profession has been about provider, and I do know we’ve got made a distinction in such a lot of lives within the AACOG area and my cherished fatherland of San Antonio.

Before becoming a member of AACOG in 2014, Rath was once an govt at ResCare Workforce Services. She was once additionally chairwoman of the Texas Workforce Commission from 1996 till 2008, having been appointed via then-Gov. George W. Bush.

AACOG Board Chairman and McMullen County Judge James Teal notified different board participants on Oct. 6 that he had positioned Rath on paid administrative depart because of an interior investigation in keeping with “certain allegations and grievances.”

Though AACOG declined to substantiate what the particular allegations have been, got an nameless letter that Rath had created a antagonistic work setting via “relentless negative criticism, name calling, vulgar language, and all around cynical behavior.”

The writer of the letter, which was once signed via “Faithful and Loyal AACOG Employees,” mentioned Rath in my opinion attacked workers and that “unfortunately, I believe that in some instances these attacks are motivated by racial and prejudicial beliefs held by Diane Rath.”

It was once now not transparent if the investigation via AACOG’s human assets division and outdoor lawyers have been finished previous to Rath’s retirement.

Speaking to after the vote, Herberg mentioned he may now not touch upon team of workers issues however mentioned the investigation is “put to bed now.”

AACOG is a voluntary affiliation of native governments and organizations from 13 counties. Its board of directors is comprised of representatives from the ones native governments and organizations, in addition to state legislators.

Largely funded via state and federal grants, its services and products come with making plans and technical help for public tasks, a regulation enforcement coaching academy, public transit in rural spaces, and more than a few paperwork of well being and different help for older adults.

Herberg mentioned AACOG’s purpose is to proceed serving the group.

“A transition like this is always a unique and stressful situation, but I’m excited to take the position and look forward to working on all the successes that Diane Rath built for AACOG and moving forward,” Herberg mentioned.

Copyright 2023 via – All rights reserved.

]

Exit mobile version