On Monday, OnTrack’s Executive Director, Rita Sullivan, was placed on leave. A letter sent to staff said an investigator is looking into allegations that management interacted inappropriately with staff. The allegations have prompted the organization to set up a private hotline for employee complaints, but information obtained by NBC5 News reveals allegations of harassment and bullying within the organization may have been going on for years.
In resignation letters obtained by NBC5, counselors at OnTrack detail an unbearable work environment. In September of 2015, a handful of counselors resigned from OnTrack on the same day. The letters say they witnessed illegal activity, were forced to use personal vehicles, and often worked through their lunch hours. They say they were bullied, threatened, yelled at, and put down in front of co-workers and clients.
Management was not available for comment, but in a statement sent to NBC5 News, OnTrack says, “OnTrack has experienced significant growth in a short period of time resulting in the need to evaluate and implement certain changes to the structure of the organization. As the board engages in this process Dr. Sullivan will take a much deserved leave to refresh.”
When we pressed that their statement was seemingly contradictory to the letter sent to staff, a board member responded only that Sullivan was on leave, and they are looking into inappropriate behavior by anybody.
Former board member Rick Nagle says the investigation is happening in-house, and does not involve any government agency. He tells us the board is doing an operational audit.
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