Toxic Work Conditions in City Government (Guest Post)
A Disservice to the Backbone of Our Community
Note from Aesop: Hi folks, many of you have emailed to ask if you could publish a guest post on this newsletter. My policy heretofore has been to flatly decline. But then one of you went ahead and wrote a post (bold move) and sent it to me ready to go. I found it thoughtful and relevant, and so I said what the heck, mi casa es su casa. Hence, I present to you this newsletter’s first guest post, courtesy of a reader who goes by the name “CoralFables.” And if you’re wondering if this will be a regular occurrence around here…maybe. Feel free to submit a post for consideration. Just know that publishing decisions will be made via the strict and highly scientific selection methodology that I like to call, “if I feel like it.” Anyway, happy reading.
It's no secret that working conditions have a direct impact on productivity, mental well-being, and overall job satisfaction. In the corporate world, where the bottom line is often tied to quarterly profits, there's an increasing emphasis on creating positive and nurturing work environments. The understanding is simple: a motivated, supported, and happy workforce results in better outcomes for the organization.
Yet, when it comes to city government jobs, a startling and concerning trend is emerging. These public-sector employees, who are undeniably the backbone of our community, ensuring our safety, infrastructure, and countless other critical services, are being pushed to their limits by toxic working conditions. More alarmingly, it appears that the instigators of this hostile environment are none other than our newly appointed commissioners.
Low morale is not an abstract concept. It manifests in tangible ways: delays in service delivery, inefficiencies, high employee turnover, and an environment where individuals are afraid to voice their concerns or propose innovative solutions. For city government workers, who are often already operating with limited resources, this decline in morale is not just detrimental—it's catastrophic.
One would assume that our elected officials, understanding the crucial role that city employees play, would be the foremost champions of these workers. Yet, reports from within suggest that the new commissioners, Ariel Fernandez and Melissa Castro are taking an adversarial approach. Instead of viewing city employees as partners in achieving a common goal, they are seen as obstacles or scapegoats for personal gain on larger issues. In a recent Commission meeting, Commissioner Fernandez used a long-time hardworking city employee’s recent well-deserved promotion as a means to advance his agenda. This was especially hypocritically as he increased his salary by over 100% while being on the job for only five months at the very same meeting. See Item H-2: IAFF. Forward video to 4:37.
Simultaneously, in a recent Planning and Zoning Meeting, Commissioner Castro’s board appointment blatantly belittled and insulted city staff. Forward to the following times: 0:13:00, 1:12, 1:18.
Attacks on staff, whether verbal, political, or procedural, do more than just harm individual employees. They erode trust in our institutions. When city workers cannot trust their leadership to support and advocate for them, the entire system suffers. The cascading effects of this mistrust and disenchantment ripple through the community, impacting everyone from the youngest to the oldest resident.
It's essential to emphasize here: employees are not seeking unwarranted praise or immunity from accountability. Like in any organization, there will always be room for improvement, and constructive criticism is a crucial part of growth. However, there's a vast chasm between constructive feedback and creating a hostile work environment. The former builds a stronger workforce, while the latter breaks it down.
Our city's success hinges on its employees—those who ensure our streets are clean, our children are safe, our emergencies are responded to, and our future is secure. By not recognizing the value of these workers and by allowing a toxic work culture to persist, we are doing a disservice not only to the individuals directly affected but to our city as a whole.
The call to action is clear: we must prioritize the well-being and morale of our city government workers. We must hold our elected officials, including the two new commissioners, accountable for their actions and demand a work environment that uplifts rather than demoralizes. Only by doing this can we ensure a thriving, dynamic, and prosperous city for all.
The 2 new Commissioners are disastrous to the CITY. They plainly do not care for the residents, only about themselves...and many pictures any where.
I saw a post from Melissa on Instagram Christmas picture in front of City Hall, she says"form your 3 favorite commissioners". ( Menendez, Ariel and Castro) Pathetic.
I personally do not like the way they work, What work do they do? One day a week meet at their office?
Get money for personal expenses, highest salary imaginable for a small City like ours.
Most of all commission meetings they create havoc at one time or another.
We should have BETTER representation.
Admire Vice Mayor and Mayor, responsibility, brains, respect,.
Never in the City's history have we had a commission so out of sync with the Residents, and City workforce, employees.
“The call to action is clear: we must prioritize the well-being and morale of our city government workers. We must hold our elected officials, including the two new commissioners, accountable for their actions and demand a work environment that uplifts rather than demoralizes.”
I agree fully with this statement but make no mistake, the toxic work environment has existed for years beginning BEFORE Castro and Fernandez. A handful of residents have belittled and berated staff and it was allowed. Even encouraged. These same residents were Lago supporters BEFORE they were Castro and Fernandez supporters. At some point Lago (and for unknown reasons) stopped providing them a platform to advance his agenda, they turned on him and continued with their cruel antics towards staff, this time supported by different Commissioners. Castro and Fernandez would be wise to cut these toxic people off.
Melissa has stated she does not tolerate bullying- she should do something about the bullies she surrounds herself with.
Lastly, the Manager has a responsibility to defend and protect his staff. He stands by time and again, allowing the toxic environment to fester. Ideally, he shouldn’t have to defend and protect staff but in Coral Gables, it should be included in the City Manager’s job description.