Report I2019-1 Recommendation 2 Responses
Report I2019-1: Investigation of Improper Activities by a State Agency and Its Employees: A Director Committed Gross Misconduct When She Repeatedly Violated Merit‑Based Employment Principles and Attempted to Retaliate Against Suspected Whistleblowers (Release Date: March 2019)
Case Number I2019-1
Recommendation #2 To: California, State of
The oversight agency should require the director, the HR chief, and the senior staff member to undergo CalHR or SPB training on the requirements for making good faith appointments.
Agency Response From November 2021
The agency reported that it has filled the HR chief position and provided us with evidence supporting that the HR chief completed CalHR's training on best hiring practices.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From October 2021
The agency reported in October 2021 that currently it is in the process of hiring an HR chief. Once the selected candidate completes the recommended training, the agency will notify us.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From September 2020
The agency reported the HR chief position remains vacant as of September 2020 but that the recommended training will be provided when the position is filled.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From May 2020
The agency provided evidence of the new director's successful completion of training on good faith appointments. The HR chief position remains vacant.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From March 2020
The agency hired a new director in March 2020 and stated that the director will complete the recommended training in the same month. The HR chief position remains vacant.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From December 2019
The department continues to operate without a director and an HR chief. The agency stated again that once the director and HR chief positions are filled, it will ensure the recommended training is completed.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From September 2019
The department continues to operate without a director and an HR chief. The agency stated once the director and HR chief positions are filled, it will ensure the recommended training is completed.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From June 2019
The agency stated once the director and HR chief positions are filled, it will ensure the recommended training is completed. Until then, the agency has decided to train all department hiring managers proactively about good faith appointments. It stated that it has coordinated with CalHR to provide 160 hours of training to 380 hiring managers about best hiring practices by August 2019.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From March 2019
In December 2018, the HR chief and two senior staff members attended a "Best Hiring Practices" course provided by CalHR's legal division. However, the acting director did not attend this training and has since retired. In February 2019, the agency reported that the department's chief deputy director completed the training. In March 2019, the agency reported that once the permanent director is appointed, it will direct him or her to complete the training. In addition, the agency informed us that its HR chief position is currently vacant and that once a replacement is hired, it would also require that individual to complete the recommended training. This recommendation will remain partially implemented until the department's permanent director, when hired, completes the required training.