CEDAR RAPIDS (AP) — The sheriff of Iowa’s second-largest county says an investigation has found that a deputy was harassed by co-workers who were angry that he took time off work for family reasons.
Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner announced Wednesday that he will be disciplining multiple employees for inappropriate behavior discovered during the investigation.
A deputy assigned to the county jail filed a complaint alleging he was harassed for using parental leave authorized by the Family Medical Leave Act. Gardner hired Ohio attorney Douglas Duckett to investigate.
The sheriff says the inquiry found that some employees who were working long hours improperly targeted the employee out of anger about the impact of his leave.
Gardner says the investigation also found that some employees “were behaving in a less than professional manner.” Employees will face disciplinary action and training, but none are expected to be fired or demoted.