Following a fact-finding inquiry stemming from allegations of misconduct by a senior environmental management official, the Department of Energy’s IG has called for an independent evaluation of the human relations climate at both the Environmental Management’s headquarters and the Savannah River nuclear processing site in South Carolina and develop an action plan to address problems it identifies.
The allegations involved potential violations of political activity restrictions, lack of impartiality in performing official duties, misuse of position, and other related misconduct, including asking federal officials to arrange meetings with contractor employee union reps, ordering officials to access subcontractor personnel files for demographic information, directing contractors to hold job fairs in specific congressional districts, and directing a contractor to hire three specific individuals.
Witnesses spoke of confusion as to lines of authority, responsibility and accountability, and poor internal communication and coordination that “contributed to an unusual level of distrust and acrimony.”
Issues were also raised about racism and reverse discrimination at the 11,000 employee nuclear facility. The IG said it received contradictory testimony on most matters but that aspects of alleged direction to conduct job fairs and to hire specific individuals were corroborated.
In calling for prompt action on the part of departmental management, the report recommends initiating an aggressive program to facilitate conflict resolution and promote collaboration between environmental management headquarters and Savannah River site reps.
It also recommended ensuring personnel understand the roles, responsibilities and lines of authority for interacting with contractor, subcontractor and contractor employee union officials.