A firefighter employed by Brookline appealed a discharge that was a result of a refusal to participate in Brookline’s plan that would have helped him return to duty. The commission dismissed the appeal, finding that the firefighter did not comply with several conditions that were required for his return to duty.
The Commission dismissed the appeal of a 1-day suspension from a Correction Officer for privacy violations as he neglected to request a hearing from DOC within 48 hours of being notified of the suspension.
The Commission held that the DOC’s discipline of a Correction Officer stood in contrast to other cases of employees abusing leave time. In particular, the DOC had been more lenient with an employee who used sick leave to go to a golf tournament. The Commission modified the Appellant’s discharge to a 15-day suspension.
The Commission denied the appeal from a Gloucester Deputy Fire Chief who received a 22-hour suspension over a discourteous email where insubordination was listed as a major offense in the Department’s Standard Operation Guidelines and the Chief was not required to apply progressive principles.
The Commission granted the appeal of a State Police Training Trooper, challenging the forfeiture of 10-days accrued time off for participation diverting proceeds from recycling breathalyzers to fund a retirement party. The Commission found that the Appellant was likely unaware the proceeds would be improperly used.
The Commission dismissed the appeal of a five-day suspension from a West Springfield Police Captain, on the grounds that the appeal did not include the filing fee and was late when it was mailed to HRD, not to the Commission.
