Q: The Division of Family and Children Services director, in the latest child death case, said the caseworkers involved were fired. How could the director fire employees so fast when state workers usually have appeal rights?
—Michael Minsk, Atlanta
A: Georgia is an "employment-at-will" state (state code 34-7-1), so "unclassified employees serve at the discretion of the department," a DFCS spokeswoman told Q&A on the News in an email.
Georgia’s Department of Human Services human resource/personnel policy also states that “disciplinary actions and separation actions are not grievable” for unclassified employees.
“Unclassified employees are not covered by the rules of the State Personnel Board and have no rights of appeal to the State Personnel Board,” the policy states.
A child welfare caseworker and supervisor were fired last month after the November death of 2-year-old Laila Marie Daniel while she was in foster care.
Q: How did Georgia congressional representatives vote on the massive spending bill just passed?
—Ken Kittrell, Flowery Branch
A: Of Georgia's 14 U.S. representatives, 12 voted for and two voted against the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, which is known as the omnibus spending bill.
Those who voted yes are:
Buddy Carter, R-Pooler (1st Congressional District)
Sanford Bishop, D-Albany (2nd)
Lynn Westmoreland, R-Coweta County (3rd)
John Lewis, D-Atlanta (5th)
Tom Price, R-Roswell (6th)
Rob Woodall, R-Lawrenceville (7th)
Austin Scott, R-Tifton (8th)
Doug Collins, R-Gainesville (9th)
Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville (11th)
Rick Allen, R-Evans (12th)
David Scott, D-Atlanta (13th)
Tom Graves, R-Ranger (14th)
Against:
Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia (4th)
Jody Hice, R-Monroe (10th)
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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