My name is Jeff Jones. I am a 59-year-old man with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which the City of West Hollywood has known about for at least a decade. I have worked for the City since April of 2009. I have been a hardworking dedicated employee with a good record. I started as a Code Compliance Officer and was promoted to Senior Code Enforcement Officer in April 2018. Click here to read the full story.
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- Part 4: ‘Bear’ calls for citywide reform of civil rights
“When I read the articles that Whistleblower #3 submitted, I found them both familiar and revealing. Whistleblower #3 is a straightforward person with excellent research skills who is very tenacious, determined, and undaunted. When my coworkers questioned why I believed the articles I told them the same Disability Discrimination was happening to me.”
“After reading the different Whistleblower articles I realized that other employees are experiencing similar problems. I surmised that “we, the disabled” are being discriminated against as a whole. WeHo once had a concern for equality but now has become an Ol Boys Club and is changing for the worse. The City is showing its true colors by discriminating and retaliating against people who are disabled.”
(Below are snippets from the full 4,300 word expose)
“I began keeping a diary of Danny Rivas’s actions towards me.”
“Danny Rivas appeared to be sabotaging the short-term rental program. I received instructions to change how citations were being issued which deviated from Council’s approval.”
“They advised me to obtain a doctor’s letter regarding my condition. This initiated the Interactive Process Meeting (IPM) to determine my restrictions and accommodations. The IPM consisted of someone from HR, Danny Rivas, my Union Representative, and myself. Danny Rivas insisted on my return to the field regardless of my medical condition or the doctor’s recommendations. HR intervened acknowledging the doctor’s letter and agreed that my condition was verified.”
“My doctor clearly stated I am at higher risk for developing complications from breakthrough COVID due to my health. I informed HR of this, demanded the truth, and requested the recording of all future meetings. HR had no idea that Danny Rivas had changed the plans.”
“I shared with my supervisor that Danny Rivas intended to put me in the field despite my doctors’ orders. I explained that this was very deceptive on Danny Rivas’ part and his expectations for me to do field work, answer phones, process Business Licenses, Special Event Permits and Extended Hours Permits, and Short-Term Rentals. This is the working culture that City Hall has created.”
“Near the end of October 2021, HR informed me they would schedule a meeting between my Union Representative and me to discuss my complaint of Danny Rivas’s flagrant disregard of the doctor’s orders and his actions.”
“I was overwhelmed by mid-January with the additional duties but still attempted to work the short-term rental cases by working through lunches and working late at no cost to the city. I felt the need to do this as Danny Rivas’ modus operandi was that he expected cases to be completed, even ones that he instructed to “put on the back burner.”
“On July 5, 2022, in another attempt to stifle my work, I was informed that I was now on permanent phone rotation. Bit by bit more duties were added, and the short-term program were getting less attention. I believe this was being done to faze me out.”
“The Union Vice President, representing me, stated that the job descriptions were at least 12 years old and needed updating. Danny Rivas repeated that most of the duties were required in the field. I have been doing these same duties that I had been doing in the office for the last 3 years”.
“I sensed that Danny Rivas had one of two goals: either place me in a life-threatening position or have me fired.”
“At the end of August, I contacted HR detailing how Danny Rivas was making it difficult to work and the actions he was taking toward me.”
“I wanted to work but I wanted HR to control the harassment and retaliation. The environment was toxic and being regularly harassed was exacerbating my Multiple Sclerosis.”
“By mid-October 2022 I was emailed additional duties including my position, Administrative Staff Duties, and Code Enforcement Business License Officer Duties. The City has job classifications for a reason. I was now more overwhelmed with more work than could be done in a day.”
“Two days later, in another attempt to oust me, I was informed by my Union Representative that the standing Union President under instruction of the HR manager, was no longer permitted to speak at the IPM per Janet Jimenez, the Director of Administrative Services. Janet Jimenez was now obstructing the Interactive Process Meeting (IPM) to benefit Danny Rivas. As a Union Steward, I always participated in the discussions and fought for the Union Members’ rights.”
“After a year and eight months of fearing I would lose my job, being retaliated against because of my health, being placed in an unsafe environment, and sabotaging my work, the stress started affecting me mentally and physically.’
“In March 2023, I heard that Danny Rivas had transferred my duties to the Officers. I emailed HR inquiring about my status. I also mentioned that per our Memorandum of Understanding Section 5.04 WORKING OUT OF CLASS, my co-workers should be getting out-of-class pay since they are doing the work of a Senior Officer. HR told me that they would investigate this and let me know. To date, no one has answered this.
“Although I could not walk without assistance anymore my job had me sitting during the day. Mentally I was prepared to return to the job I had been doing. My doctor issued a return-to-work letter with the accommodation of working from home while I was healing.
“On December 13, 2023, I was ready to sit with HR, Danny Rivas, and my Union Representative to schedule my return at the Interactive Process Meeting (IPM). In my excitement, I forgot how the City had changed. I thought I would return to the ethical WeHo I once knew.”
“According to the State of California Civil Rights Department (Fair Employment and Housing) In California, it is unlawful for an employer to fail to engage in a timely, good faith, interactive process. The point of the process is to remove barriers that keep people from performing jobs that they could do with some form of accommodation.”
“I wonder if David Wilson, the City Manager, has any idea that his team is not allowing people with disabilities to return to work.”
“It’s another bullying tactic the city has become so fond of using. I again asked if the meeting could be recorded, explaining that I had requested copies of all the Interactive Process Meetings (IPM), but was not given everything as they did not have all the notes. Per Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 2, § 11069 – Interactive Process, states that medical information and/or records obtained during the interactive process shall be maintained on separate forms, and in medical files separate from the employee’s personnel file, and shall be kept confidential. Ms. Jimenez, where are these notes?”
“They had no intention of following the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
“their fundamental duty was to provide reasonable accommodation, which is a statutory requirement because of the nature of discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities.”
“I had no choice but to contact the California Civil Rights Department (Fair Employment and Housing). They agreed this is discrimination and have opened a case. Allegedly other employees have submitted similar complaints that are also being investigated. I reached out to WEHOonline for help since West Hollywood no longer is a city that stands up for individuals’ rights. I will always be grateful to Larry Block for his help when there was no one else.”
“I expect to be forced to retire. They believe that this is my end when this is only the beginning. Lady Justice will show her face and this regime will fall. So, for now, all I can say is…to be continued.”
Jeff Jones is entitled to have his opinions about his bosses, including Danny Rivas, and he has the right to express them publicly. At least he does not hide behind a fake name. But the people in the comments, who have no idea who either Jeff Jones or Danny Rivas are and who make disparaging comments about Danny, they are the true losers. They have never met this man, never spoken to him, and know nothing about his character. But hiding behind their made-up names, they feel safe to open their dirty mouths and spew obscenities–something they would never dare… Read more »
Everyone commenting on how awful the city is needs to take a step back and realize this is a one sided view written by the complainant. Also, his union was seemingly involved at every level. If there is discrimination, and not just asking someone who can’t do one job to do another, the CCRD will rule as such. They are very good at deciphering these situations.
A human being fighting a disease shouldn’t need to fight to be a human being at work, accommodations for disease or illness should be just the same as someone dealing with dysphoria as a trans person. Wouldn’t you agree?
Within a collective bargaining agreement, if you can no longer do your job as described, an accommodation should be made if possible. I sense that was tried here with the union involved. In general, illness does affect people and if they can do their profession. For example, should a surgeon with Parkinson’s be allowed to operate, or a cab driver with vision issues still drive. The CCRD will be able to see if proper accommodation was made in Mr Jones case.
Kevin,
Unfortunately, this has not been the case which is why the CCRD is investigating. The CCRD will only investigate if they see that the rights of the individual to return to work are not being accommodated. In my case I have been trying to return to the same duties that I have been doing for the last four years. Duties that I am more than capable of doing. The problem is Danny Rivas and Janet Jimenez are placing “New” roadblocks at every turn.
Wow! He doesn’t seem to have a nose ring, purple hair, or pink clothing, and he’s not wearing a dress or make up. How on earth did he get a job at City Hall?
Your ham-handed, insulting, disrespectful, and discriminatory attempt at humor is beneath everyone but, apparently, you.
All of these people seem so vile.
These allegations, if true, can be enough to have David Wilson fired. The way things are coming to light suggests that David Wilson rather get fired than fire Danny Rivas and Janet Jimenez. His appointees will be the cause for his professional demise.
There is a lot to digest here, but if I read it right, Mr. Jones, a code enforcement officer, was dealing with MS which prevented him from fulfilling field duties. Despite being assigned alternative responsibilities, he struggled with the new tasks. His union representative was involved in the process. When a debilitating disease affects an employee’s abilities, it becomes a joint responsibility of the employee and the union to determine if new duties or a similar role unaffected by the condition are viable options. It appears that these considerations were made to some extent, but additional factors seemed to have… Read more »
Fire them all… and get rid of the political hacks on that ludicrous City Council starting with the dreadful John Erickson.
Well, now I know why Eugene Alper, Senior Code Compliance Office left the City and went to another city. The whole place is corrupt, and Danny Rivas is the worse.
Eugene was a crucial part of West Hollywood and friend. West Hollywood lost a key figure in my opinion.
Eugene Alper was a friend and a protector of everyone in West Hollywood. While Eugene’s dedication and dogged competence were exceptional, he represented so many of the hardworking and unsung employees at City Hall who try to avoid the insider politics and just strive to be professional in their service to the City and its’ residents.
Busted! The city of West Hollywood is turning into Bell. Block you are Erin Brocovich!
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