As the Legislature wrestles with how best to approach “respectful workplace” issues – lawmakers, staffers and others all underwent training at the Statehouse last week – it’s worth noting that this issue has reached into all three branches of Idaho’s state government. In addition to the settlement recently reached by the state controller’s office over an employee’s workplace misconduct toward another employee, the Idaho judiciary also is facing the issue, as Idaho Statesman reporter Ruth Brown reported on Jan. 5: A Canyon County magistrate judge has been on administrative leave since October, as the Idaho Judicial Council investigates a complaint about his conduct around staff.

Third District Magistrate Judge F. Randall Kline has been on leave since Oct. 13, the Statesman reported, after the Judicial Council received a complaint that Executive Director Tony Cantrill said involved Kline using “inappropriate language” around staff. “Judge Kline is on administrative leave and we are looking into the situation,” Cantrill said. An order placing him on leave, provided to the Statesman through a record request, was signed by Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Burdick on Oct. 20.

Kline was first appointed to the bench in 2013. Brown’s full report is online here.