Marin County is ramping up its investment in workplace investigations. The Board of Supervisors just approved major increases to contracts with outside law firms that review claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Supervisors recently voted to expand funding caps on four legal firms. Each firm can now receive up to $300,000.
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This move mirrors a rising tide of workplace complaints in San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, and all over Marin. County officials say they need outside expertise to keep things impartial and legally sound.
Significant Boost in Investigative Spending
The most striking change? The county boosted funding by $150,000 each for three firms already handling investigations. That basically doubles their contract limits to $300,000.
One firm, Sloan Sakai Yeung & Wong, saw its cap jump from $50,000 to $300,000. County administrators stress these are maximums, not guaranteed payouts, so there’s wiggle room as more cases come in.
Since 2017, Marin County has spent about $2.69 million on outside investigative consultants. Spending has picked up a lot since 2020, and folks in Corte Madera, Larkspur, and Fairfax are starting to notice.
Why the Increase Now?
Assistant employment director Vicky Willard points to a nationwide surge in workplace complaints. These trends are hitting everywhere, from public works in Sausalito to health services in Greenbrae.
A 2024 HR Acuity study backs this up, showing record levels of workplace disputes — averaging 14.7 issues per 1,000 employees.
Locally, complaints often center on harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. Many cases are tricky or involve situations where in-house investigators could have conflicts.
County officials say outside legal experts bring impartiality and help protect Marin in tough cases.
Steps Marin County Has Taken Toward Equity
Even before this latest funding move, Marin County worked on creating a fairer workplace in Novato, San Rafael, and smaller towns like Bolinas and Stinson Beach.
In 2019, officials set up the Office of Equity to tackle systemic problems in public employment and how services are delivered.
By 2021, Marin contracted with BiasSync, a group that tests for implicit bias in employees. Supporters see these steps as proactive ways to stop disputes before they turn into costly investigations.
Balancing Transparency and Legal Protection
Still, not everyone in Marin buys that the county’s approach is transparent. Some, like attorney Robert Jaret, argue that using attorney-client privilege to hide investigative findings leaves the public in the dark — even in big cases like Rosie Hernandez, a county worker who says she faced discrimination.
County leaders respond that keeping investigative reports confidential is the right move, especially when litigation is ongoing. They say this protects Marin from legal trouble and lets investigations run their course independently.
The Broader Context in Marin County
From San Rafael’s busy civic centers to the quieter offices in Point Reyes Station, Marin’s public employment scene reflects the national trend: more workers are speaking up about workplace problems.
The county’s recent spending decisions show an attempt to keep up with these changes.
At the core, it’s a balancing act that every California government faces:
- Give employees in Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, and elsewhere fair investigative options.
- Keep an eye on the budget as demand for outside legal help grows.
- Juggle the push for transparency with the need to protect ongoing legal cases.
Looking Ahead
For Marin County residents, this development means there’s now a sharper focus on workplace equity. The county’s putting real money behind investigations when allegations come up.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a government office near the Golden Gate or a small municipal building tucked away in West Marin. Marin’s making it clear—impartiality and thoroughness come first, even if that means spending more.
Over the next few months, taxpayers and employees will definitely pay attention to how these bigger investigative budgets actually get used. Will they help create a better workplace culture or maybe even cut down on complaints?
It’s tough to say for sure, but if what’s happening nationally keeps going, San Rafael and nearby towns might start seeing these costs as just part of how local government works now, not some extra line item.
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Here is the source article for this story: Marin supervisors allot more money for county workplace investigations
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