By William F. Scolavino
The height of your accomplishments will equal the depth of your convictions.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Saying of the Day
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3 comments:
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There has been some concern lately as to the treatment of employees of the Town of Dexter when they have had a serious illness. As one of the employees involved-I have worked for almost nine years as a library assistant at Abbott Memorial Library-1 would like to give my view of the issue. I have always been a very private person but since this affects all the employees I feel that it is important for the citizens of Dexter to know how this is being handled by the Town Manager and the Town Council.
I was diagnosed at the end of April 2007 with a rare cancer. At least four other town employees have also had a serious illness in 2007.We all seem to have been treated differently, except for being told that we had been put on FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) without our knowledge, which would expire in ten weeks from the first day off on sick leave. The Deputy Town Clerk was given only two days notice and was terminated the week before her back surgery. I was told that I was eligible for "up to ten (10) weeks of leave" and my FMLA would expire on July 2, 2007, which I saw as a termination notice. I could not return to work then and I challenged this, since I still had several weeks of unused sick time left. I was eventually allowed to use this and given unpaid medical leave. Two other employees did resign after receiving similar notices while they were very ill. I have heard that they both regretted it and one person tried to withdraw his resignation when he was feeling better, but was denied it.
While I appreciate eventually being granted extended leave, it was only after supplying multiple doctors' notes and after support from vocal library patrons. At no time was I shown any compassion (the exception being Librarian Liz Breault and councilors Rick Goodwin and Sherm Leighton) or given any idea what I could expect. When other employees and even department heads have tried to find out what the policies are, they have been told conflicting stories and even that the Union (of which I am a member) makes them terminate sick employees after ten weeks, which is untrue. The town can easily grant more time as they did to me. It costs nothing to extend unpaid sick time. Staffing concerns have been given as a reason to not extend some leave; however, the library was understaffed since the other 20 hour/week position was vacated in Nov. 2005. It was not filled until June 2007, after I was on medical leave and one of the library substitutes had quit. I also understand that although there was some shuffling around of jobs, there is still less staff at the town office than there was before the deputy clerk was terminated. No one new was hired.
The Town Council and Town Manager need to reflect the values of the residents and taxpayers of Dexter. At the last Town Council meeting Chairman Roger Brawn made comments regarding the aging workforce in the Town of Dexter, and the cost of benefits. New hires may need to expect fewer benefits, but to use catastrophic illnesses as a way to terminate long-term workers who otherwise could not be fired, and to imply that sick workers shouldn't be able to use their accumulated sick leave is questionably legal and definitely immoral. An aging work force problem takes care of itself as people retire, not by forcing dedicated long term workers out of their jobs.
I have decided that I need to concentrate on my health, my family and the positive things in my life, so I have resigned my position at the library. I hope to see it filled soon. I want to thank all the library patrons and friends who have given me support and hope.
Kathryn Pearson
Dexter
I recently read with interest a letter from Kathy Pearson, long time assistant library at the Abbott Memorial Library in Dexter. Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in April of this year, Mrs. Pearson was unable to continue working. Accordinq to Mrs. Pearson's letter rather than finding support and encouragement from the administration of the town, she was harassed to provide doctor's excuses every few weeks to verify her illness. The seven members of our town council with the exceptions of Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Leighton, did not have the decency to even inquire after her health.
We are talking about the wife of longtime Dexter tax assessor and assistant town manager, David Pearson. David has worked for this town for over twenty years and without question, no other town employee has done as much to benefit this community. David has served on the boards of Penquis Cap, the library board of trustees, the Dexter Regional Development Corp., the Dexter Historical Society, the Abbott Memorial Library Centennial Committee, the Wayside Grange/Theatre, the Dexter Charter Commission, the Dexter Bicentennial Committee, etc. Who on the council has done even one tenth as much for this town?
Regarding the letter posted last week;
I attended the October Dexter council meeting and heard Dave Pearson thank the council and town manager for the flowers his wife had received the previous week.
David did thank them...
David takes the high road and was as usual, exhibiting class at a very difficult time.
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