CALIFORNIA – Redondo Beach >> Fired City Manager Bill Workman, whose hostile relationship with employee unions led to his undoing, collected at least $270,000 upon his departure, according to a document released by the city this week.
Workman, the city’s top administrator for nine years until he was terminated April 8, collected a year’s salary of $223,463 plus benefits called for under his employment agreement with the city, the document showed. Additionally, he was given a $46,000 lump sum to settle a workers’ compensation claim.
With the release of Workman’s separation agreement this week, details also emerged about the former city manager’s whereabouts in the weeks leading up to his termination, when he was absent from City Hall and city meetings without a public explanation. And for the first time, there was mention of an injury claim.
According to the agreement, Workman’s attorney gave oral notice to the city on March 8 of “claimed industrial injury” occurring on unspecified dates during his employment.
“The city disputes and denies the validity of any claim, or that any alleged injury or damage arose in the course and scope of employment,” the agreement read.
As part of his separation from the city, Workman, 60, agreed to the lump sum settlement in exchange for a release from any workers’ compensation claims. He also agreed not to file any other complaints, charges or lawsuits against the city.
Workman’s attorney, R. Craig Scott, said he was “not available to comment on Mr. Workman’s circumstances.”
The city attorney and Mayor Steve Aspel also declined to comment on Workman’s departure and the details of his severance, stating that the separation agreement speaks for itself.
Workman had been at the center of controversy in the months leading up to his termination. Employee unions had banded together in a coalition protesting his leadership and claiming unfair and retaliatory treatment stemming from heated contract negotiations.
Of 297 employees who voted late last year, 98 percent voted “no confidence” in the city manager.
Eventually, Workman also came forward with complaints. He told the City Council that he had been the target of “harassing, hostile and in-retaliation” attacks, and that an attorney representing the unions had threatened to not only personally attack him, but also that his health would suffer if compensation demands weren’t met.
The council initiated an investigation into the workplace allegations against Workman in January, but details of a Bay Area law firm’s findings were kept confidential.
According to Workman’s separation agreement, on about March 2 he used short-term sick leave. Nearly two weeks later, he provided notice that was he was taking authorized “professional time” from March 13 through March 31. During his absence, he appointed Assistant City Manager Peter Grant as the acting city manager, and Workman was relieved of all duties as city manager.
Workman was officially terminated without cause in the City Council’s closed session April 8. On top of the severance and claim settlement payout, Workman also received compensation for accrued and unused vacation pay.
At its April 15 meeting, the council members unanimously appointed Community Services Director Joe Hoefgen as interim city manager.
Aspel said city officials will take their time selecting a new manager, and Hoefgen will be a candidate.
“We’re not in a rush,” he said. “Basically, you have five council members and a mayor who aren’t pros at this. We’re elected. It doesn’t make us HR experts.”
The mayor said he hopes a full field of qualified candidates applies to take the city’s helm.
“It’s a wonderful job to have,” he said. “I think a lot of people want to be a part of that. … Council will be looking for someone who can jump up head and shoulders above the other candidates from a personality and education standpoint. We don’t have a written criteria right now. Someone will jump to the head of the class.”
Reach the author at carley.dryden@langnews.com or follow Carley on Twitter: carleydryden.