Members of Congress are investigating the Department of Veterans Affairs and its Loma Linda (Calif.) Healthcare System for continued employment of a supervisor known to create a hostile work environment.
U.S. Reps. Mike Bost and Jay Obernolte penned a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough on April 10. Three investigations dating back to July 2020 have concluded that a supervisor within the health system is creating a hostile work environment. However, this individual is still employed by the VA "despite medical center leadership doing everything possible within its legal constraints" to remove them, according to the representatives.
The representatives are concerned the employee is driving away other staff, and posed two questions to Mr. McDonough: "Does VA have the authority it needs to remove problematic employees like the Loma Linda supervisory employee, and would you work for this supervisory employee?"
The representatives requested a written response to both questions by April 10.
Becker's has reached out to Loma Linda Healthcare System for comment. This story will be updated if more information becomes available.