Human Rights Commission director retires
Following a state investigation into allegations of repeated verbal abuse and harsh treatment of employees, Tennessee Human Rights Commission Executive Director Beverly Watts has announced her retirement.
At least three people filed complaints, and multiple witnesses told investigators Watts created a toxic work environment through profanity, demeaning language and micromanaging, according to a summary of the human resources investigation obtained by The Tennessean.
Watts announced her departure during Wednesday’s commission meeting to discuss the investigation. She continued to defend herself against the accusations.
“I am deeply disappointed in the untrue accusations that have been made against me,” Watts said. “I have always tried to lead this organization with dignity and professionalism.”
Several former employees of the commission spoke to The Tennessean following Watts’ retirement, backing up many of the allegations
confirmed in the human resources report.
Many of the former employees were initially hesitant to speak out because of personal experiences of retaliation by Watts and other staff members.
Xandria Johnson, an administrative assistant at the commission from November 2020 to September 2021, said Watts was constantly “cussing, berating and throwing things” at employees.
“It was a horrible environment,” Johnson said Wednesday. “There was always tension in the air because no one knew what would set her off next.”
The human resources investigation began last fall and found all the allegations against Watts truthful. The department determined she violated state policy on workplace conduct.
Graham Howell, the commission’s former communications director from 2015 to 2016, said everything written in the investigation summary fits with his experience at the department.
“I can recall many events in which I was disheartened by Watts’ management approach and her inability to understand the ramifications of her controlling and derogatory demeanor toward others,” Howell said Wednesday.
NAACP Tennessee President Gloria SweetLove came to Watts’ defense and praised her years of service.
Sweet-Love told The Tennessean that Watts has been an “excellent manager” and a “compassionate leader.”
Love said she believed the commission was trying to push Watts out.
TOXIC ENVIRONMENT
Three people filed complaints against Watts, and seven other employees who witnessed her actions backed them up, according to the state report.
The majority of them told investigators they felt that Watts was a bully, according to the report.
“The information gathered showed similar and consistent allegations of repeated verbal abuse, as well as harsh and/or inappropriate treatment that has created a toxic and abusive work environment over an extended period of time,” stated the investigative memo signed by the Department of Human Resources Commissioner Juan Williams.
Robin Derryberry, the chairperson of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission board, said Watts’ retirement ends the human resources investigation.
The board announced the commission’s deputy director, Muriel Nolan, would serve as the interim director until the panel finds a replacement.
Johnson said despite the announcement, she is still concerned for the commission’s future.
“They’re still not fixing the problem,” Johnson said. “They got the bully out, but they kept on the assistants who backed her up.”
According to her state biography, Watts has been in her position since 2007. She was a special adviser to the chair at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and previously served for more than 12 years as the executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights.