The Game Commission has launched an investigation into the reports.
Seven former dispatchers for the Pennsylvania Game Commission have reported being subjected to a toxic workplace under Governor Shapiro’s administration. Reports included a supervisor making sexual comments about female employees, wishing violence on game wardens, and using mandatory training sessions to humiliate staff.
Multiple employees reported hair and weight loss due to the maltreatment they received in the workplace. The harassment led to panic attacks, blood pressure spikes, and in some cases, suicidal ideations.
The former employees asked supervisors and the commission’s human resources department for help, but say those requests were ignored.
In light of the reports made, “the agency immediately commenced another investigation,” said PA Game Commission spokesman Travis Lau in a statement.
“One of the employees has been suspended pending the results of that investigation,” he continued.
Several employees that experienced harassment at the PA Game Commission recently spoke about the treatment they received in the workplace.
Heather Kline spoke in a recent interview about the harassment she faced at the commission. She worked for 18 years at a regional dispatch office before transferring to Harrisburg when the dispatch office was centralized. “My blood pressure went to almost stroke level. I had to up my anxiety medication. I had to up my blood pressure medication. My husband is a paramedic – he would take my blood pressure to make sure I was still okay.”
Pam McCombie worked as a dispatcher at a regional office. “I loved what I did. I absolutely loved it, but the environment in Harrisburg was awful.”
Management of the centralized dispatch center resulted in multiple complaints from employees. Dispatch supervisor John “Dug” Hudson was accused of sexual harassment, bullying, and retaliation.
“He would walk away from speaking to a female dispatcher and be like, ‘Oh, the things I would do to her’ under his breath, but very clearly loud enough for other people to hear,” said a female dispatcher who worked there for about three years.
Hudson was accused of watching dispatchers for signs of mistakes to harass them, but never identified areas to improve performance.
“Once you get that manager label, then you pretty much can do whatever you want to anybody,” said another female dispatcher about the management style the PA Game Commission has allowed under the Shapiro administration.
Hudson’s immediate supervisor, Nicholas Sechrist, was reportedly aware of the behavior but did nothing to stop Hudson’s mistreatment of employees.
The employees that submitted claims maintain that they love what they do and enjoy serving the public, despite enduring a hostile work environment.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has launched an investigation into recent reports that have occurred under the Shapiro administration.
