Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com

Published - Thursday, July 03, 2008

Letter: Hostile work environment at Tomah VA

“We practice open, accurate, and timely communications with... employees... by carefully listening to their concerns.” This is one of the VA’s core values as stated on their website. At the Tomah VA, management has proven this the farthest from the truth.

I am an employee that was recently terminated from my position as a nursing assistant after 27 years of service. I was not terminated for my quality of work as proven by evaluations. I was fired based on untruths and trumped-up allegations by management. Even when these allegations were proven false with help from the union, management took it upon themselves to terminate me two years prior to retirement. This has become management’s tactics - severe discipline for the older, civil service employees.

When questioning management on a discipline given, I was told, “I don’t know” and “I wasn’t here then.” If management can’t give a reason, how can they justify the punishment? This is the type of communication that employees receive, no answers, but severe punishment.

Much of the Tomah VA nursing staff along with other department staff feel the same way. We are not respected and management’s decisions are dependent on the way the wind blows. This management claims their #1 priority to be the veterans. If that is the case, wouldn’t they treat their employees taking care of those veterans with a little more respect?

As we know, this government runs with checks and balances. Where are those checks and balances for the Tomah VA? The management is in dire need of them. No employee should have to work in such a hostile environment.

Tom Johnson,

Babcock

All stories copyright 2006 Tomah Journal and other attributed sources.