Report: 'Intimidating' Commentary By Lambert, No Toxic Work Env

ANDOVER, MA — Andover Community Services Director Jessica Lambert "engaged in unprofessional and intimidating commentary" toward Andover Youth Services staff, but town management did not create a "toxic work environment," an investigation commissioned by the town found.

Town Counsel Tom Urbelis commissioned the report from Jean Haertl of Safety and Respect at Work, LLC, after the four full-time Youth Services staff members resigned in Aug., months after long-time Youth Services Director William Fahey was fired.

Patch obtained the report, which is included at the end of this article, through a Public Records Request. It was also summarized at a recent Select Board meeting.

In their resignation letters, which are included in the report, the staff members cited "toxic," "unsupportive" and "intolerable" working conditions, which they attribute to town management including the town manager.

A toxic work environment was first alleged at an Aug. 16 Select Board meeting, the report notes. Specific complaints include poor communication, silencing of the staff, failure to name Glenn Wilson the interim director of Youth Services and the "threatening and intimidating" commentary by Lambert.

Haertl examined over 200 documents and six hours of Select Board meetings and interviewed 11 witnesses, according to the report.

She found evidence to support one of the allegations:

"Sufficient credible evidence exists to support the conclusion that on or about May 12, 2021, Lambert engaged in unprofessional and intimidating commentary towards Stackhouse, Lombardi, Callahan and Wilson by stating, 'Remember who signs your paychecks. You work for the Town, not Bill,'" Haertl wrote. "The investigator concludes her choice of words reasonably and inappropriately upset the staff and caused them to 'feel silenced.'"

Haertl also found that Human Resources Director Jessica Porter should have "immediately addressed the incident with Lambert" and Town Manager Andrew Flanagan.

The investigator wrote that "insufficient evidence exists" to support the allegations.

Still, in a "summary audit" of the town management's relations with Andover Youth Services from Feb. to Aug. 2021, Haertl found problems with communication and feedback. Town management should communicate more with staff and the town's youth and have a more hands-on approach to the department, she said.

She also found issues with the town's handling of complaints and harassment.

"By all accounts, the Town has not provided regular training to Town Department managers and staff on sexual and discriminatory harassment," Haertl wrote. "Furthermore, it is evident Town management, including members of the Board of Selectmen need additional training to better understand their obligations with respect to receiving and responding to complaints from Town personnel."

The report recommends remedial action including updating and redistributing the town's policies on sexual and discriminatory harassment, creating on-line platforms for communication, increasing oversight of Andover Youth Services and "remedial and corrective action for Lambert."

At the Select Board meeting where the report was summarized, Flanagan said he could not discuss the personnel matter regarding Lambert, but said the town and the new Andover Youth Services Steering Committee are working on the other recommendations.

The full meeting is available here from AndoverTV.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.

Town of Andover Investigation- Safety and Respect at Work Fact Finding by Chris Huffaker on Scribd