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Kathleen Saylors The exterior of the Essex County Library is shown on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Dan Janisse / Windsor Star Post content
The Essex County Library Board of Directors said it was exploring new resources to support positive work environments after an anonymous letter was circulated alleging workplace harassment and a toxic environment at the end of Last year.
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In a response dated January 3, Essex County Library Board Chairman Nelson Santos said the board was aware of the anonymous letter of November 22, 2021, which detailed specific instances of alleged harassment against at least seven library staff, and the following Star article. on last year’s claims.
Please take it to heart that the board takes these matters seriously, Santos wrote in his response to library staff.
I encourage all staff who experience any form of harassment or bullying to communicate these concerns through the appropriate channels, as provided for in our collective workplace safety policies. Please do not fear or perceive personal retaliation for reporting any form of harassment.
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Santos said the board was looking for new resources to create and support a positive working environment, in line with the findings of the library’s previous cultural audit. The cultural audit was carried out in response to employee concerns about the workplace after a protracted library strike in 2016.
So whether it is the relationship between the staff and the board of directors or the interrelationships between all employees, take a good look at the opportunities to introduce more training, team building, relationship building, a Santos said.
Santos added that the board takes the harassment allegations seriously and has reviewed the allegations in the letter internally to protect employee privacy. He encouraged all employees to come forward through the libraries’ reporting process for workplace harassment.
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The Essex County Library System is made up of 14 branches across the county, with administrative offices based at the Essex County Civic Center. The library is funded by Essex County Council, with a council made up of four county council members, the chief librarian of the library and three members of the public. It has an annual budget of approximately $ 5.8 million.
A representative from CUPE Local 2318, the union representing Essex County Library staff, said he believed concerns about harassment were an ongoing concern of members, who felt depressed by the letter and the board’s response.
There really is a lack of trust between the parties, said Suanne Hawkins, the national representative for Local 2318.
Essex County Library Board investigates suspected toxic workplace Clock points to possible work stoppage in Essex County Library system Thousands sign petition in support of striking library workers
The union is asking the board of directors to hire a third-party investigator to investigate the allegations of workplace harassment after Hawkins said he did not believe the allegations in the anonymous letter were the subject of ‘investigation.
If they investigate and it turns out that there is no wrongdoing, then there is no wrongdoing, but at least comply with the obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, that is, to conduct the investigation.
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