The 2nd nominee for the “worst employer of 2018” is … the arresting school board

There are lots of correct ways to respond to employee complaints.

Handcuffing and arresting the employee is most definitely NOT one of them. 

Yet, this is exactly what the Vermilion, Louisiana, school board did when a teacher, Deyshia Hargrave, tried to raise concerns at a board meeting about a proposed raise for her boss, Superintendent Jerome Puyau.

Thus, I have nominated this employer as the Worst Employer of 2018.

The New York Times has the details:

The ordeal started when the school board met in a special session to vote on the renewal of Puyau’s contract. As Hargrave spoke against the renewal after the vote, a marshal approached her. 

“You are going to leave or I am going to remove you,” the marshal told her. “Take your things and go.” 

“Excuse me,” she said to him. “Is it against policy to stand?” Ms. Hargrave asked the board, as the marshal tried to grab her arm. “Sir, do not,” she said. 

She started to walk sideways through the assembly to leave, as some protested, noting that Mr. Puyau had started to directly address Ms. Hargrave just as the marshal tried to eject her. 

When it became apparent that Ms. Hargrave was being handcuffed in the hallway, the audience appeared startled. Several followed her into the hallway, and the video showed her on the floor and then standing, handcuffed, with the marshal behind her. “Stop resisting,” he said as he walked her outside.

“I am not — you just pushed me to the floor. I am way smaller than you,” she said.

Outside, the marshal called for backup. He is heard saying to her that he had given her orders to leave, and Ms. Hargrave, standing in the dark against a car, replied, saying she was “walking and asking you a question.”

She was placed in an Abbeville police patrol car.

After video of the incident went viral, the city attorney decided not to pursue charges against her.

Judge for yourself whether this is worthy of consideration at year’s end.