Town worker's job change causes kerfuffle

Town worker's job change causes kerfuffle
Question of reasonable notice raised

TEMPLETON - Templeton officials want clarification from the town’s legal counsel on the process that should be used when an employee chooses to move from one department to another. The issue was raised when former part-time Human Services Assistant Alisha O’Malley left her position in late June and by the next week had taken up her new position as Senior Center activities director for the Council on Aging. The question at Monday’s meeting from Selectman Julie Richard was whether O’Malley had given a “reasonable, respectful” notice at Town Hall prior to her departure from her post. Contacted by phone on Wednesday, O’Malley expressed that she had followed protocol, but she declined further comment. Former interim Town Administrator Robert Markel said during that meeting, before leaving for another job in Stoneham this week, that O’Malley had informed him that she had applied for the job and would likely be accepting the position. According to both Markel and the town administrator’s assistant, Holly Young, there was no written notice given. However, whether she should have given a written notice or whether an employee transfer from one department to another actually does not require one, is the question town officials are now asking. The Board of Selectmen did grant a “confirmation” of O’Malley’s job switch at its meeting on July 11. She had already started her job as Senior Center activities director on July 5. O’Malley was originally hired as a part-time administrative assistant in December 2014, working about 19 hours per week, but her title changed to “human resources assistant” a few months ago. Board of Selectmen Chairman John Caplis noted that there are policies in place regarding how people are employed by the town, and that the Council on Aging, as a separate entity, has the authority to hire. He said the movement laterally between departments was the issue, and that there “should have been some discussion” on when the job at Town Hall would be vacated and when the new post at the Senior Center would be taken up. Senior Center Director Dianna Morrison said during the selectmen’s meeting that she had sent a number of emails outlining the COA’s intention to hire O’Malley to both the town administrator and members of the Board of Selectmen, but had received no responses. She felt there was no question on procedure at the time. Young said Wednesday that O’Malley’s last day as human resources assistant was June 28 or 29, and the letter received from Morrison was dated June 29. She said those in the department had prior knowledge that O’Malley might possibility leave Town Hall, but the move had never been made official. “When someone accepts a job and I’m left alone in the office, I don’t consider that a two-week notice,” she said. Young said with the departure of both the interim town administrator and the human resources assistant, she is “definitely feeling the pinch.” She said that although the office really needs the additional help, she has been in her position for some time and that she is capable and will “get the important stuff done” until both positions are filled. The human resources assistant job has already been advertised and applications are due on July 21, she said. Interviews for a replacement will be conducted by both Young and any members of the Board of Selectmen who are able to participate. Selectmen recently voted to act in the absence of an interim town administrator and are currently in the process of determining what entity will be responsible for conducting the search and hiring process for a permanent replacement.