Salt Lake County agency in shambles, workers say

The director resigned amid an investigation of sexual harassment. Three managers remain on "indefinite" leave. And, according to a just released administrative review, the non-management public servants employed in the Salt Lake County Division of Planning and Development Services are reporting their work environment is in a shambles, and has been for quite some time.

The findings of a 36-page report submitted to the Salt Lake County Council Tuesday contains data collected from surveys and one-on-one interviews conducted with all 57 employees in the division. Investigators note a "remarkable disparity" between the views of 12 managers, who found their division to be "a competent, functional organization," and their 45 hourly employees who delivered a litany of criticisms and disappointments, many of which focused on management and date years back. They include:

Jobs and promotions in the division based on "cronyism."

Managers routinely missing or unavailable.

General lack of professional ethic at all levels.

Work environment considered unsafe due to fear of retribution.

62 percent don't trust management.

The review was conducted by three county employees from outside the division. Kelly Colopy, associate director, Human Services Department; Jeff Graviet, county emergency services coordinator; and, Patrick Leary, associate director, Administrative Services Department.

In addition to compiling a profile of the division based on anonymous surveys and individual interviews, the three also created a list of recommendations for addressing the myriad issues including hiring a "strong administrator capable of setting professional expectations," revamping department structure and accountability protocols, enhancing the communication system and raising the level of transparency within the division.

In a statement released following the council meeting, Salt Lake Mayor Peter Corroon expressed confidence that the issues would be addressed quickly and efficiently.

"We have a good track record of fixing internal management problems," Corroon said. "I believe Planning and Development Services has a great team that weathered a very difficult time. We will make the appropriate changes with the input of our employees to improve the organization."