DIR Details Response to Nepotism Investigation

Tuesday, July 16, 2019 | 5

The California Department of Industrial Relations has reversed the promotion of an employee who allegedly benefited from a special hiring arrangement under former Director Christine Baker, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Christine Baker

The worker’s promotion was voided effective Friday, according to the Bee, which cited a letter from DIR to the State Personnel Board. The promotion in 2014 was inappropriate, the letter said, and the employee was not named.

In April, the personnel board told DIR to take any needed disciplinary action following an investigation that found Baker had inappropriately influenced hiring decisions. Among the findings was that Baker and her subordinates promoted Baker’s daughter and a friend in violation of nepotism rules.

Baker abruptly resigned without explanation in March 2018. She later denied the allegations in the state auditor’s report. Baker’s daughter has also reportedly left the department.

DIR is still investigating about six other employees suspected of helping Baker make improper hires and promotions, according to the letter to the Personnel Board. 

In addition, the department launched four-day training sessions last month for 380 hiring managers.