A former human resources specialist for Sussex County has sued the board of commissioners, claiming she endured a hostile work environment after protesting that two veterans — one of them disabled — had not been included on a list of potential job candidates.
Tami Vandergroef, 51, says in court papers two military veterans had applied for a job as a juvenile detention officer, but county officials did not want to hire them.
The suit states Vandergroef’s supervisor told her Sheriff Mike Strada “does not want posting of the existing list,” which included the veteran and disabled veteran, according to the lawsuit filed Nov. 1 in Superior Court of Sussex County.
Strada, who is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, did not immediately respond Wednesday to request to comment. Sussex County officials also did not immediately to calls and emails seeking comment.
The lawsuit claims county commissioners changed the hiring program to avoid placing the veterans on the list. “By doing so, they disqualified the disabled veteran and the veteran,” the lawsuit says.
When Vandergroef protested, “a hostile work environment was created,” the lawsuit states. “The environment was so hostile, that the plaintiff first sought medical leave and on Dec. 3, 2021, worked her last day,” the lawsuit says.
The suit does not state if Vadergroef left her job voluntarily. Her attorney did not respond to requests for additional details not contained in the complaint. Vandergroef had been a Sussex County employee since 1989, the lawsuit says.
The suit alleges Vandergroef’s employers violated New Jersey’s Conscientious Employee Protection Act and demands compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorney fees and the cost of the suit.
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