New Orleans commission orders rehiring of fired city council clerk after finding her alleged sexual harassment didnt harm productivity

A New Orleans commission has ordered the city council to rehire a clerk who had been fired over alleged sexual harassment in the workplace because it determined her actions didn’t harm the office’s “efficient operation.”Former Clerk of Council Lora Johnson was fired last year after the New Orleans City Council determined that she had created a hostile environment — including allegations of unwanted touching, demeaning language and intimidation — for her employees for at least 11 years, according to NOLA.com.But after Johnson, who worked in city government for 35 years, denied the allegations and appealed her firing, a commission last Monday gave the seal of approval to rehire her and compensate the pay she lost during her time away.The Civil Service Commission, essentially a glorified Human Resources department for the government, accepted the prior findings that proved Johnson’s wrongdoing — including that she had “engaged in instances of inappropriate behavior,” including frequently touching employees’ “behinds,” the outlet reported.However, the crux of their sign-off relies on the City Council’s determination of harm that Johnson may have caused — which the commission believed was distinctly lacking.According to the commission, Johnson should be reinstated because “the City Council has failed to carry its burden showing that the complained-of conduct impaired the efficient operation of the Clerk of Council’s office.”Such impairment is needed to justify termination under the commission’s rules, but it did not specify what sort of decline would warrant the disciplinary action.In its report, the commission also named the impacted employees who accused Johnson by sharing their full names — until then, the four alleged victims were only referenced anonymously.City Council President JP Morrell was appalled by the commission’s decision and flagrant disregard for the harmed employees.“This decision will have a chilling effect ...