Alleged Nepotism At Milwaukee Food Stamp Office

The Milwaukee Shepherd Express newspaper is reporting allegations that bonuses and promotions are being given to relatives of managers at a Department of Health Services food stamp office.

Sherrie Tussler, of the Hunger Task Force, says she worries that more experienced staff are being passed over.

“Having people maybe promoted over more skilled employees might create an even more challenging workplace for the staff there, but also for customers coming in: it might affect customer service.”

Tussler says the problems come as the state is planning on requiring food-stamp-eligible single adults to go to work.

“We’re taking away really basic levels of services for people in need. We’re taking food from the mouths of the poor and then giving bonuses to the staff who work at the agency.”

The state Department of Health Services says relatives can work in the same agency as long as civil service and nepotism policies are followed. The department says allegations of misconduct are taken seriously and investigated.

On the matter of the contested bonuses, the department says it recently implemented a discretionary merit compensation policy created by Republican legislators and the Walker administration. DHS says other state agencies are also implementing bonuses for staff recognized for meritorious performance. The AFSCME union, however, promises more publicity of the Milwaukee case and is representing four employees who have filed appeals over the Milwaukee promotions.