Worker Suspended For Working Without Pay

Mon., Nov. 4, 1996

From Staff And Wire Reports

A King County parks manager who willingly worked overtime without pay has been suspended for six days for insubordination, effective Wednesday.

“To me this is crazy, being suspended for volunteering work,” Helen Stanwell said, adding she can’t afford the $1,000 in lost wages.

The six-day suspension was reduced from 10 days after county and union officials met earlier this month.

Stanwell and two other workers take care of more than 1,000 acres of park, 38 miles of trail and two community centers in the Snoqualmie District based in North Bend.

Stanwell, 52, said she loves her job and wants to volunteer the time to fix up park facilities.

That’s against federal labor law, the county contends.

“She’s a very good employee. That’s not the question,” said King County Executive Gary Locke. “But we have to make a firm policy against voluntary overtime.”

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Worker Suspended For Working Without Pay

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