Harassment Of Staff Is 'Appalling,' Says Madison First Selectwoman

MADISON, CT — Some Madison town employees have recently been subjected to online harassment on social media, and First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons is calling on residents to stop such behavior.

In a statement posted on the town's Facebook page on Monday, Lyons calls on residents to "come together as a community" instead of "tearing down those who serve us."

How many employees have been subjected to online harassment, and what was said, was not disclosed.

"While respectful dialogue and critical feedback from the public have an important role in government, recent social media attacks on Town employees do not," Lyons wrote. "They can have devastating consequences, especially when directed at organizations dedicated to serving our most vulnerable populations."

The full statement is below:

The Town of Madison employs over 130 employees who strive every day to deliver high quality services to our community with professionalism, courtesy, and pride. We are committed to offering a safe and healthy workplace for all our employees and stand firmly against all forms of harassment, abuse and/or discriminatory behavior, whether it be online or in other forms. Our employees are dedicated to public service and deserve to perform their duties without fear of intimidation or loss of privacy in their personal lives. A hostile workplace environment violates the fundamental principles of respect and dignity, hurting our employees and limiting our ability to serve Madison residents.

While respectful dialogue and critical feedback from the public have an important role in government, recent social media attacks on Town employees do not. They can have devastating consequences, especially when directed at organizations dedicated to serving our most vulnerable populations. While recent online harassment of staff has been appalling, let's come together as a community to focus on building a stronger foundation for unity and empathy, rather than tearing down those who serve us.