Overview
- The inspector general’s report, released Tuesday, says the city paid more than $312,000 for hours not worked as part of employee separations, with about half tied to staff in the mayor’s office.
- The probe highlights “permission” or administrative leave, which keeps departing workers on payroll with benefits and can boost later payouts, including $147,000 granted to five employees.
- Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming warned the payments may look inequitable because most frontline workers do not receive extended paid leave before leaving city service.
- Mayor Brandon Scott’s office said the report sensationalizes routine HR practices and argued that discretionary leave used within policy is neither wasteful nor unfair.
- City Administrator Faith Leach said attorneys and HR officials will review leave policies for fairness, while State’s Attorney Ivan Bates defended two grants in his office citing a holiday transition and an employee’s health needs.