Former HR Head Paid $100,000 Settlement

The former human resources director of the Local Government Center in Maine was paid $102,500 to settle a federal lawsuit out of court that includes six counts. The settlement information was disclosed by the LGC after a Right to Know request was filed by the Seacoast Media Group. The money was paid to former human resources director Donetta Haley. Haley decided to dismiss a lawsuit that alleged she was the victim of gender and age discrimination, invasion of privacy, violations of the Americans with Disabilities and Family Medical Leave acts and wrongful termination.

LGC Executive Director Maura Carroll signed the disclosure documents on December 19.

The state’s municipalities receive favorable insurance rates while the LGC advises communities about the counts alleged in the lawsuit. John Sherman, an attorney from Portsmouth, said that the lawsuit was filed because of a right to sue notice that was issued by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Sherman declined to respond to the request for comment by his client or himself from SMG.

Haley worked for LGC for 20 years, taking protective leave using the FMLA. Her company then used the leave as a negative factor that linked Haley to her firing on February 5, 2010.

Haley claimed in the lawsuit that she was fired from her position because of retaliation, malice, or bad faith. Haley is 57, which she said was a reason why the company decided to let her go from her position. She also told the court that she was discriminated against for being a female, which she proved by showing her severance pay. Her severance pay was not the same as those handed out to male colleagues by the company.

The lawsuit also claims that Haley was discriminated against by the company because of an unnamed disability. Haley said that the disability did not affect her job performance. Haley also claimed that the LGC violated her right to privacy by sharing her confidential medical information with some of her co-workers.

As a result of her termination, Haley has told the court that she has suffered from the following issues: depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, mental anguish, distress, disappointment, anger, resentment, embarrassment, grief, indignation, shame, despair and humiliation.

An attorney for LGC, William Pribis, answered the federal suit on April 22 by admitting that Haley was one of the company’s longest-tenured employees. He also went on to say that Haley repeatedly received excellent reviews, promotions, and raises. The court was also told by the company that Haley had been talked to about her team’s sense of being leaderless, her lack of concentration, and her unexplained anger and absences.

In response to the accusations that the company shared her personal medical information with other employees, LGC denied the claim but did admit that the company asked her colleagues to report any behavior that would coincide with previous complaints filed with the company against her. The company then said that she should not receive any money with her termination.

The Bureau of Securities Regulation is investigating the LGC, specifically claiming that the company is improperly constituted, should return to its nonprofit status, and should reimburse $100 million that the company collected from public employees, retirees, and member communities, according to seacoastonline.com.