Monterey County Grand Jury
• 2014-2015
Family and Children’s Services— a Stressful Work Environment Photograph titled “Holding Hands” by rebelrhodes, in the
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 10 findings
F1
The FCS Branch may place staff social workers in new positions without sufficient and necessary orientation and training.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The FCS Branch implement a “Zero Tolerance Policy” for anger in the interactions be- tween all staff.
F2
The FCS Branch may place supervisors in assignments without sufficient orientation or training.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The FCS Branch provide training for emotional intelligence, work stress, and communica- tion skills for all staff.
F3
Conditions and priorities in the work environment make it difficult for staff to attend train- ing sessions if the training is on site.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The FCS Branch enforce the policy of requiring supervisors to meet with employees one- on-one on a monthly basis.
F4
There are some supervisors who communicate to subordinates in an unacceptable, de- meaning manner.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The FCS Branch provide time for employees to devote to training without interruption.
F5
Some supervisors use the removal of the 9-80 schedule as punishment for work issues that could be handled in a less threatening manner, and in a way that wouldn’t compromise of- fice function.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The FCS Branch assign supervisors to units only after those supervisors have had experi- ence and training in those units.
F6
FCS Branch talks about team building but does not uniformly implement it in a pragmatic manner.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The FCS Branch assign supervisors and staff to jobs that reflect individual abilities and provide training and sufficient orientation to develop and support those abilities.
F7
There appears to be a lack of knowledge and application of emotional intelligence in the FCS Branch.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The monthly supervisory meetings be used, and documented, to resolve all individual mat- ters such as personal leave, workload efficiency, and general progress. There should be no surprises at evaluation time.
F8
Social workers within FCS are passionate about their work but don’t feel supported or ap- preciated by some supervisors and management. 8
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Staff meetings, both for individual units, programs, and all staff be held regularly. Program managers should attend these. The agency director should also attend “all staff” meetings, and solicit input from line staff so that they maintain an awareness of the morale of the of- fice.
F9
Emergency calls often interfere with lunch breaks; often these breaks are not taken because of the amount of work required of each employee.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
FCS Branch require transparency in procedures and case assignments.
F10
FCS Branch and the Monterey County DSS offices are difficult for the public to locate due to lack of both exterior and interior signage.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
The FCS Branch management be observant regarding whether employees have had a half- hour respite at appropriate times.
Additional Recommendations 2
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R11The building at 1000 South Main Street in Salinas be provided with signage to clearly in- form the public that it is the location of the Monterey County Department of Social Serv- ices and the FCS Branch.
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R12The building be provided with interior signage to help guide the public to the appropriate offices.
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.