City staff allege 'old boys' club' attitude in consultant's report as mayor denies 'culture of fear'

An outside consultant's report studying workplace dynamics at the City of Windsor raises concerns about discrimination and favouritism while encouraging leaders to emphasize psychological safety in the workplace.

The union representing a majority of city workers said the report shows "not all is well at City hall" while the consultants who prepared the document say the findings are comparable to other cities they've reviewed.

Windsor's Mayor Drew Dilkens denied that there's a culture of fear at city hall and listed women in senior leadership positions to dispel the notion that the corporation operates as an old boys' club.

Consultants with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) used focus groups, staff surveys, and interviews with senior leadership and union presidents to reach key findings about the city as an employer and presented the report to council this week.

The report listed key themes that the city needs to improve which include:

• Promoting a psychologically safe environment for employees.
• Fairness and transparency while minimizing unconscious bias.
• Expanding hybrid work options.
• Expanding financial and non-financial rewards for employees.
• Emphasizing a skills-first approach to career advancement.

Councillor Kieran McKenzie said by his reading of the report, there's an underlying message coming from employees. 

"There's a culture of fear, to a certain extent, to bring forward suggestions and perhaps even move up through the corporation because there's increased risk as you get higher in the corporation that might lead to an outcome that is certainly undesirable, the worst of which being dismissal," said McKenzie. 

Michelle Holland, a PwC director fo consulting and deals, said the sentiment was raised during focus groups and interviews along with "feelings of it being like an old boys' club in certain circumstances."

"I wouldn't say that it was above and beyond what we haven't seen at other organizations."

Dilkens said he doesn't believe those reports amount to cultural issues. 

"At the end of the day, we don't have a culture of fear here. People, you know, don't come to work fearful at the city of Windsor," said the mayor. 

Dilkens said he would be "very sensitive" to concerns about an "old boys' club" attitude in city hall and denied that allegation.

"As I sat in the chair listening to those comments, I looked down at Dana Paladino, who's our acting commissioner of corporate services. I look down at Janice Guthrie, who's our, you know, commissioner and our city treasurer. I looked down at Jelena Payne, who's leading economic development and building and planning. And so I think we have great leaders and they're all doing a great job."

The majority of city workers are represented by CUPE Local 543, whose president Dave Petten addressed council.

"There's much more work to do on work-life balance and flexibility," said Petten, who believes compensation is the top issue for his workers at the city. 

He did highlight progress on a key priority for workers, which is to extend work weeks to 35 hours from 32.5 hours. 

"Around 70 per cent of our members that were in that category have now been increased to that 35 hour minimum we were looking for."

What the report said

The 39-page report breaks down five key themes outlining how employees responded and what the city can do to improve. 

Under culture and leadership, the main findings found that some employees avoid taking informed risks out of fear of reprisal, are concerned about speaking up or expressing thoughts freely and are worried that preferential treatment exists for employees seeking promotions.

The city highlighted how it's considering conducting a leadership review by an external consultant as a potential solution to these issues. 

It also outlined its approach to emphasizing psychological safety, which includes an ongoing project that promotes well-being.

The city is also hiring an executive director of equity, diversity and inclusion to lead a department aimed at identifying and removing systemic barriers. 

This report was launched in the spring and completed before a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed by the recently fired head of infrastructure services was reported by The Windsor Star.

In the lawsuit, Chris Nepszy makes allegations of improprieties, unethical favours, cover-ups and more.

Dilkens, in a statement, has denied what he calls "spurious allegations" and says the city will defend itself.