We were disheartened by the findings of an employee survey on the work culture within the county building released last week.
Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) regional president John Scholten presented the findings of a survey in which 85 of the county’s 117 employees responded. The survey asked employees to rate the work culture on a scale from one to 10, with one being broken and 10 being healthy. He said the average score was a “concerning” 3.8.
When more than 72% of workers rate the work culture so low, it indicates major problems exist within the walls of our county government building.
The county clerk’s office received much of the criticism from employees. Survey respondents used the words “vindictive and somewhat dishonest” to describe members in that department, which they said was a source of drama in the government center.
Apparently, one cause of the drama stems from the previous county board stripping control of county finances and HR duties from the clerk’s office in May 2021 and assigned the duties to newly created departments. In the time since, five persons have filled the position of county finance director. Such high turnover in one position is indicative of serious internal issues.
Now with survey results in hand, and the Rehman report previously received, we encourage county commissioners to immediately follow through with its decision to create a separate finance department.
Both the survey and report uncovered internal issues of concern. Commissioners now need to develop a plan of action to “fix” the problems and then implement it. A first step is to enroll in the MLI’s effective governance training workshop.
It’s time to drop the defensiveness and retaliatory threats and develop a professional working atmosphere in the county building.
Everyone, including the county administrator, board of commissioners, elected officials, department heads and employees, need to take responsibility for the current situation. And they all play a role in finding and implementing solutions.
County employees, including elected officials, must operate as a team. That team is only as strong as its weakest leak.
It is time to dig deep, be professional and create an inviting and efficient work environment.
