Part 9, Westbrook Resigns; Employees Begin Sharing Disturbing Details of City Work Environment

Click here to view our series: Corruption at Sheboygan City Hall

City of Sheboygan Human Resources Director, Adam Westbrook, resigned on August 30th. Take Back Sheboygan County had previously highlighted the culture of fear, intimidation, and retaliation experienced by City employees during the tumultuous nine months after Westbrook’s arrival in Sheboygan.

Following Westbrook’s resignation announcement, Take Back Sheboygan County received messages from current and former employees, shedding more light on the situation. The fear of retaliation and the culture of intimidation have somewhat lessened with Westbrook’s impending departure.

One such message came from a 26-year veteran employee of the City of Sheboygan who has since left. This employee’s story is concerning because he worked overtime and holiday events, received satisfactory and above-average performance reviews, yet left the City of Sheboygan due to the toxic work environment and a lack of leadership.

The employee’s troubles began with an accident while driving a City truck in a park last year in October. During this incident, the truck’s equipment box clipped a pole, causing damage. The employee reported the accident and was informed, before Westbrook’s tenure, that a performance improvement plan would be initiated, as it was standard procedure after accidents. However, the City never implemented the improvement plan, and the employee received a satisfactory review and a pay raise.

Another incident occurred this past April, after Westbrook’s arrival when the employee accidentally backed a City vehicle into another car in a parking lot. The employee followed the proper procedures by notifying the vehicle owner and calling the police, which led to a report being filed.

Westbrook subsequently met with the employee and presented three options: resign the next day, resign in a few weeks, or accept a 24% pay cut and work as a janitor. Considering his family and the impact of inflation, the employee couldn’t easily absorb such a significant pay cut.

The employee requested time to think and later reviewed the letter presented by Westbrook during the meeting. However, the letter only outlined the immediate or the few week resignation options, omitting the offer for a lower-paying position that would allow continued employment.

Feeling concerned, the employee sought someone to talk to. Since Westbrook was unavailable, Mayor Sorenson agreed to meet with him. During the meeting, the employee shared his story, and Mayor Sorenson assured him that the City would address the situation. However, after this meeting, Mayor Sorenson disappeared, offering no further support or solutions.

The employee then worked out an agreement with another colleague in the same department who expressed interest in the 26-year employee’s position. The supervisor reassured both employees that this arrangement would work, and they would both have jobs.

However, the 26-year employee later learned that both positions needed to be individually posted for two weeks, prolonging the process to one month. During this time, the employee was also informed that he could no longer operate any City vehicle. Despite interviewing for the open position, knowing that driving wasn’t a requirement, the employee was later told that he wouldn’t even be allowed to drive a lawnmower, and he did not get the position.

Feeling frustrated and unfairly treated, the employee asked the supervisor how to explain to others why he didn’t get the job. The supervisor’s response was that he could say the supervisor had “F&*%ed him over.” This reply did not sit well with the employee, who requested a meeting with a higher-level manager and Westbrook. An invitation was extended to the supervisor who used the vulgar word, making the employee uncomfortable as the supervisor attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the employee explained that Westbrook had downplayed the use of the F-word and had repeatedly used it, even jokingly. The employee was informed that the only option to continue employment with the City was to accept the lower-paying position as a janitor with a 24% pay cut.

Frustrated, the 26-year employee eventually left the City of Sheboygan for another employer. The substantial pay cut, coupled with the perceived unfair treatment, drove away a long-serving, skilled, and dedicated employee.

As Westbrook’s questionable treatment led to the employee’s departure, this individual has now come forward since finding alternative employment and Westbrook’s resignation. This underscores the fear and intimidation prevalent in Sheboygan’s Human Resources office during Westbrook’s nine-month tenure, where the ‘human’ was seemingly removed from ‘human resources.’

While there is a sense of relief and even joy in Westbrook’s departure, a more significant concern looms over Sheboygan. The plight of the 26-year employee illustrates Mayor Ryan Sorenson’s failures. Mayor Sorenson had promised support to this employee but disappeared during his time of greatest need as he struggled to provide for his family amidst high inflation and a forced 24% pay cut.

Mayor Sorenson and eight of the ten members of the Common Council (excluding Alders Mitchell and Heidemann) are responsible for the toxic work environment and the mass exodus of City employees. The abrupt termination of City Administrator Todd Wolf without cause, driven by the mayor and eight of the ten members of the Common Council, has placed Sheboygan in this unfortunate predicament. Their decision to hire Westbrook further exacerbated the existing issues at City Hall.

Mayor Sorenson is failing City employees and failing taxpayers. His misdirected focus is evident as he participates in groundbreaking ceremonies for Popeye’s Chicken and attends Esslingen Fest. Where was Mayor Sorenson when this dedicated 26-year employee struggled to support his family in the face of a 24% pay cut?

Take Back Sheboygan County knows that many former and current City employees have been reluctant to share their stories for fear of retaliation. If you are one of these, we welcome you to contact us. Your name will not be shared without permission. You can contact us at https://takebacksheboygancounty.com/contact/.

“Corruption at City Hall” is an ongoing series that began in early July. Plans are to continue until all issues have been exposed and resolved. Taxpayers must be assured that City leadership truly serves the people, not self-interest or special interest groups.

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