Parks worker with eye cancer rehired
Director cites ‘additional information’
Arizona State Parks and Trails Director Sue Black, amid a public outcry, reversed course Friday and rehired a woman with cancer, saying “additional information” had become available about the case.
The move came one day after The Arizona Republic reported that Black had fired a 59-year-old woman who was battling eye cancer and had obtained Family and Medical Leave Act protection to care for herself.
“This decision was made with the facts available at the time,” Black said in an email to The Republic. “Since then, additional information has become available that is personal in nature. After further review, I have decided to offer reinstatement to Sue Hartin and will be working with DOA-HR to expedite this process. Government is here to serve the people, but we must also show heart and compassion to members of our
team.”
Black declined to detail what that additional information was. Officials at Arizona State Parks and Trails were aware Hartin had cancer, as the agency on May 29 gave her approval for intermittent FMLA leave.
The employment reversal came following harsh criticism of Gov. Doug Ducey on social media and calls to his office.
Hartin, a communications specialist and former ranger, was overjoyed when told by The Republic she was getting her job back.
“I’m on cloud nine,” she said. “But I’m still skeptical. I don’t know if I trust people anymore.”
Hartin is the 48th state employee since 2006 to be rehired by the state following stories by The Republic about improper or illegal firings by agency directors.
Waiting for news
“I’m on cloud nine. But I’m still skeptical. I don’t know if I trust people anymore.” Sue Hartin On being rehired
Black and two officials from the Arizona Department of Administration met with Hartin at her El Mirage home for about two hours early Friday afternoon regarding the situation.
However, they left without offering Hartin any assurance that she would get her job back, Hartin said. They also warned her not to talk with The Republic because her reinstatement could be in jeopardy.
The Republic then raised questions with Ducey’s office. Ducey has been a strong supporter of Black and stood behind the firing, saying “protocol” was followed.
Black, at 2:26 p.m., then sent The Republic an email saying she would rehire Hartin.
Hartin said she was not given a reason for her June 6 firing. She said she’s also caring for her 89-year-old mother, who has dementia.
The Department of Administration had said Hartin had attendance issues and had been investigated for improperly using a state vehicle. Neither reason was put on her termination letter. The state never produced records to back up its allegations against Hartin.
Hartin acknowledged she had missed work, but used sick leave and vacation time because she had back problems and complications from stomach surgery. She also said she was told she could take a state vehicle home because she was working in the field.
In the past two years, Hartin is the second female state employee with cancer to get her job back after being fired.
In August 2016, following a public outcry and media attention, Ducey reinstated an award-winning teacher who was battling breast cancer and was wrongly fired at Juvenile Corrections. Ducey then fired the Juvenile Corrections director.
A parade of controversies
Ducey has remained a strong supporter of Black despite numerous controversies at the agency.
The department has had massive turnover and numerous accusations of employee harassment by Black.
The director most recently resumed a volunteer additional-work program for her central-office staff and reminded all of them they could be fired at any time.
More than 100 full-time employees have left the agency under Black.
Ducey appointed Black in 2015 and rewarded her with a 9 percent raise in November 2016 — after she was investigated by the state amid allegations of harassing employees. That brought her annual pay to $175,000. Black’s predecessor was paid $136,000 annually.
Ducey’s administration has lauded Black for bringing in additional revenue and winning an award for best state parks program in the country.
The Governor’s Office also investigated claims Black was mistreating her staff, but no discipline occurred.
Daniel Scarpinato, Ducey’s spokesman, repeatedly declined to answer questions Friday as to whether the governor still stood behind Black.
Black, however, didn’t appear concerned.
While leaving Hartin’s home, Black quickly got into a vehicle with two Department of Administration officials.
When asked if she will continue to be Parks director, she said, “Of course.”
Insurance worries
Hartin’s termination letter came eight days after Parks had granted her intermittent FMLA job protection for 12 weeks within a 12-month period through May 2019, records show.
Elizabeth Bartholomew, an Arizona Department of Administration spokeswoman, had said Hartin was granted personal FMLA in January 2018 and intermittent FLMA care for a family member from May 10-29 of this year.
She had said the act’s rules allow agencies the right to “manage, discipline or terminate” employees.
Bartholomew said Hartin was terminated not for use of intermittent leave, but for performance issues. Hartin’s most recent performance review for 2016-17 gave her several high marks.
Hartin said her state health insurance ended Friday, and she was concerned she might not be able to have surgery to treat cancer in her left eye.
She was also worried that she would have to sell her home in El Mirage.
One Valley resident told The Republic he would pay for Hartin’s health-insurance premium.
That may not be needed, but Hartin said she plans to still have a garage sale this weekend. As of Friday afternoon, she still was waiting for official notice that she has her job back.