FLORIDA 'CORRECTIONAL' OFFICER J RESIGNS
To: Kay Lee
"Hello Kay Are you aware of this? And we wonder why we lose many of the good ones." From one who's been there...From: Officer J
To: kaylee1@charter.net
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 9:36 PM
Subject: Heres a good thread for your site
Kaylee, I finally quit, here's why.....
Officer JFirst, I tried to apply for a 5 month unpaid leave of absence with the state, because my husband is deploying this week. I was denied by my regional director stating that it would be detrimental to the Institution to allow me the time off, even though they knew I had to resign if they denied it. (nice huh?) Well, I know a black female a couple years ago that was given a LOA for 6 months, and I am hollering foul. Called the newspapers, and here's my email to the GOV
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:25 AM
To: Governor Jeb Bush
Subject: An employee of yours
Dear sir, I know you are very busy, but I am an employee of yours. I work with the Florida Department of Corrections. My husband is in the FL National Guard and is being deployed April 1 for training in Mississippi and serving for 16-18 months overseas in Afghanistan for our country. I asked my Warden Mr. Ken Miller. for a 5 month Leave of Absence (unpaid) from my job as a correctional officer at ZCI, in order to help transition our 3 small daughters through my husband leaving us for such a long period.
I was told that the Regional 3 Director Mr. Pridgen had to approve it. Mr. Pridgen denied me this leave, thus forcing me to give 2 weeks notice (I did so yesterday).
I have worked for the state over 5 years now, and am very upset that this happened. I feel that the DOC doesn't want to support military wives in this great time of need. I am asking you to please look into this matter.I know that several years ago, a black female officer Patricia Craft was granted 6 months unpaid leave of absence from my institution to care for her grandchildren while her daughter was sent overseas. I feel this to be completely unfair in all regards.
Thank you sir.My reply from Jeb - Reply #1 on: Today at 08:04am
Governor Bush asked me to thank you for your message and let you know that he is always pleased to hear from a citizen. You wrote expressing concern about the denial of your request to receive a five month unpaid leave of absence to help your daughters with the transitional period after your husband's deployment to Afghanistan.
In order to appropriately address your concerns, I am forwarding a copy of your message to the Office of Institutions for review.
Sincerely,
Ebony Philmore-Harvey
Citizens' Services Administrator
Office of Citizens Services
/eop
Cc: Greg Drake, Office of Institutions Miscellaneous FileMy office of Institutions reply--what a joke «Reply #2 on: Today at 08:06am»
Dear Ms. ********:
This letter is in reference to your e-mail to Governor Bush concerning conditions of your employment at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution. As you know, Governor Bush has asked our office to review your concerns.
While it is a fact that Regional Director Pridgen denied your request for a five (5) month unpaid leave of absence, the decision was largely based on the negative impact your leave would have on the present staffing and institutional needs at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution.
The Florida Department of Corrections has a long history of taking great strides in supporting military families and our soldiers, especially during the latest conflicts. We do share with you in your concern that your situation resulted in a need to resign your position. Accordingly, we have sought for and have been assured that should you apply for reemployment with the Department in the future, you will be afforded due consideration.
We appreciate being apprised of your concerns and regret that your continued employment was not an option for you.
If you have any question please contact me at (850 410-4570.
Greg Drake
Deputy Assistant Secretary of OperationsMy final reply « Reply #3 on: Today at 08:14am»:
Mr. Drake
The FL DOC is willing to lose a well trained Officer for good, rather than grant a few months UNPAID leave, but yet my warden stated to me that he is sure an opening will be available due to the high turnover rate? Seems to be awfully costly to the state, after how much time and effort they have put into me. After working long hours for over 5 years....in a dangerous atmosphere, this is the thanks I receive. It is like a slap in the face, and you can tell Mr. Jeb Bush I said so. Former Officer J.
********
All I can say is WOW.
This is a prime example of not caring about your staff. Personally I would send this info to every d**n newspaper I could.
And I'm also surprised that Truefriends hasn't declared this a rumor yet.
That's pretty shoddy the way the Dept. is treating you, although I can't say it's really surprising. The Republicans seem to be real good at getting up in front of the cameras and in front of the press and beating their chests declaring how patriotic they are (We Support Our Troops) but where the rubber meets the road actions speak louder than words.
Good luck and best wishes to you and your husband, OfficerJ, and God Bless.
I officially quit on the 28th, but after I put in my 2 weeks notice, I never went back, I would have been wasting the last few days I had with my husband before he left. I work for myself now, started my own business and its going well, please post all of it. I have been trying to get some newspapers to return my call, maybe you can do better, you know a lot of people. I want everyone to know that I wasn't supported. Thank you Kaylee
Former OfficerJ--- currently just Jenn
My reply from Mr. Drake:
Dear Ms. Sullivan:
This letter is in reference to your e-mail to Governor Bush concerning conditions of your employment at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution. As you know, Governor Bush has asked our office to review your concerns.
While it is a fact that Regional Director Pridgen denied your request for a five (5) month unpaid leave of absence, the decision was largely based on the negative impact your leave would have on the present staffing and institutional needs at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution.
The Florida Department of Corrections has a long history of taking great strides in supporting military families and our soldiers, especially during the latest conflicts. We do share with you in your concern that your situation resulted in a need to resign your position. Accordingly, we have sought for and have been assured that should you apply for reemployment with the Department in the future, you will be afforded due consideration.
We appreciate being apprised of your concerns and regret that your continued employment was not an option for you.
If you have any question please contact me at (850 410-4570.
Greg Drake
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Operations
My reply to Mr. Drake:
Mr. Drake
The FL DOC is willing to lose a well trained Officer for good, rather then grant a few months UNPAID leave, but yet my warden stated to me that he is sure an opening will be available due to the high turnover rate? Seems to be awfully costly to the state, after how much time and effort they have put into me. After working long hours for over 5 years....in a dangerous atmosphere, this is the thanks I receive. It is like a slap in the face, and you can tell Mr. Jeb Bush I said so.
Former Officer J.
********
From: Officer J
To: kaylee1@charter.net
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2005 12:26 PM
Subject: You will never believe this!!!
My warden called me at home today to tell me that he had a letter he had to hand deliver to me. Re-instating me as a Correctional Officer and authorizing me 1 year leave of absence.
Then later today, The Regional Director called me at home and read me the letter over the phone and told me that the warden was giving it to me cause he couldnt drive it down himself, today. WOW. Plus my letter to the editor hit the local newspaper yesterday......Can you believe this? I am completely satisfied and will return in a few months..... Im still in shock. Please update your link. Heres the email I sent Jeb today:
Sir,
I emailed you a month ago about my husbands deployment overseas, I am a Correctional Officer with the FL DOC that was denied a leave of Absence to transition my 3 small children through my husbands leaving. I resigned.
It seems that after reevaluating the situation...the Regional Director has re-instated me as Correctional Officer and authorized me up to 1 year leave of absence. I thank you for whatever part your office played in this. I am 100% satisfied and am greatful someone in Tallahassee is looking out for the little people.
Officer J