GREENFIELD — Hancock County Community Corrections is conducting interviews of all its employees to discuss their experiences at work in response to a number of employee complaints.
Greenfield Police Chief Jeff Rasche, the president of the community corrections advisory board, is leading the investigation after a number of employees brought complaints forward. Rasche said he was asked to conduct the interviews by the Hancock County Commissioners.
Rasche declined to provide specific information about the nature of the complaints.
Pat Powers, executive director of community corrections, said in an email to the Daily Reporter that one of the complaints involved perceived discrimination against a pregnant employee.
The board held a special meeting addressing the matter on Thursday, March 5. Members were asked to participate by interviewing members of community corrections staff. Dave Thornburg, vice president of the board, told members he was not informed about the nature of the complaints.
Ten board members volunteered to help interview the department’s 31 staff members. They will be provided with written survey questions that ask employees to rate their agreement with a series of statements on a scale of 1 through 10.
Rasche said the department had received several complaints from people who wanted to remain anonymous. He said he believed the complaints were about minor issues that needed to be addressed so they did not become larger ones.
“Like with any organization, there’s things that come up from time to time with personnel issues,” Rasche said.
After conducting the interviews, the board will report back to the commissioners and decide which steps to take next.
“We’re just going to see what we can do to help,” Rasche said.