CITY OF WATERTOWN, NEW YORK

ROOM 302, WATERTOWN CITY HALL

245 WASHINGTON STREET
WATERTOWN, NEW YORK 13601-3380
(315) 785-7730

KENNETH A. MIX
City Manager

PRESS RELEASE
May 30, 2020

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kenneth A. Mix, City Manager

Response to Human Resources Allegation

During a recent televised interview concerning a complaint of hostile work

environment lodged against former City Manager Richard M. Finn, the statement was
made by the complainant that she didn’t feel she could approach the City’s Human
Resources Manager, Matthew D. Roy, because “another previous complaint she filed
in September was ignored.”

I have investigated this claim, and have determined that it is untrue. There has been
only one complaint filed by the Complainant. It was filed on November 6, 2019. The
private investigative firm of Public Sector HR Consultants, LLC was contacted by Mr.
Roy, and ultimately retained by the City Attorney on November 7, 2019, to conduct an
independent investigation of the claims made in the complaint.

The facts concerning the alleged “ignoring” of Erin Gardner’s “complaint” in

September 2019 are as follows:

On Thursday, August 29, 2019, Ms. Gardner sent Mr. Roy an email, indicating that
she would like to meet with him. As he was on vacation that week, he responded on
Sept. 3rd, and the two met the next day, on Sept. 4th. At that time, she was advised,
as is any potential complainant, that the investigative process commences with the
filing of a complaint form: this is entirely consistent with the City Council’s adopted
policy on “Non-Discrimination and Harassment (including sexual harassment) in the
Workplace.” During the Sept. 4th meeting, Ms. Gardner stated she did not wish to file
a complaint: instead, she asked if she could provide Mr. Roy with some notes she
 CITY OF WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
ROOM 302, WATERTOWN CITY HALL
245 WASHINGTON STREET
WATERTOWN, NEW YORK 13601-3380
(315) 785-7730

KENNETH A. MIX
City Manager

had been taking, and it was agreed that HR would keep a copy of her notes in a file
should she wish to ultimately file a complaint.

On Sept. 12, 2019, Ms. Gardner sent an email to Mr. Roy providing her notes and
thanking him for meeting with her on Sept. 4 th. Prior to sending the email, Ms.
Gardner called Mr. Roy to let him know that her notes would be coming. She then,
again, declined to file a complaint. She was told that if the day came when she
wanted to do so, the City’s form would be provided.

On Oct. 22, 2019, Ms. Gardner requested a complaint form, which was provided to
her the same day via e-mail. Again, the process began when she filed the completed
form on Nov. 6th.

This statement is given now, because it is important that all City employees know that
an official complaint will never be ignored. The City takes such complaints very
seriously, as evidenced by its immediate retention of an investigator in this matter.
Moreover, all complaints are handled expeditiously and with the utmost
confidentiality. All employees should be assured that their participation in any
investigation will be held in the strictest confidence.

To the extent that the recent televised interview gave an impression to the contrary, it
is false.

Kenneth A. Mix
City Manager