In a recent ruling the state Office of Open records, a local tax agency agency was required to turn over job applications and resumes of its workers.
The back story on this is interesting. The Scranton Single Tax Office "lost" $2 million. An audit also found that the agency -- which exists solely to distribute taxes to local agencies -- had "accumulated" another $12 million. The office is being investigated.
As you can imagine, there's been some questions about the people running the show there. (I know, the video is a couple years old, but it is a real hoot.)
It's important for the community to look at those job applications and resumes to watchdog the employees -- especially in a place like Scranton and nearby Wilkes-Barre, where nepotism is almost a way of life.
(Interesting local side note: The reporter who filed this Right-to-Know appeal is Charles Schillinger, a former York Dispatch reporter. He now works for the Scranton Times-Tribune.)
The back story on this is interesting. The Scranton Single Tax Office "lost" $2 million. An audit also found that the agency -- which exists solely to distribute taxes to local agencies -- had "accumulated" another $12 million. The office is being investigated.
As you can imagine, there's been some questions about the people running the show there. (I know, the video is a couple years old, but it is a real hoot.)
It's important for the community to look at those job applications and resumes to watchdog the employees -- especially in a place like Scranton and nearby Wilkes-Barre, where nepotism is almost a way of life.
(Interesting local side note: The reporter who filed this Right-to-Know appeal is Charles Schillinger, a former York Dispatch reporter. He now works for the Scranton Times-Tribune.)
This ruling puzzles me. Generally, personnel records are confidential and I would assume this includes access to applications and resumes of employees. Understandably, police investigations would require employers to turn over such records, but why does a newspaper reporter's request for what are usually private documents fit an Open Records request?
Hi Jo,
Thanks for the comment.
Below is a link to a pdf that explains the legal reasons for releasing the resumes and applications of public employees (note: the RTK law does not apply to public companies, unless they are performing a contracted governmental function). Not everything in a personnel file is public record, but these two things are. Also, if a public employee is fired for cause, parts of the personnel file also become public record.
https://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/fd/2009May/2009-0315_Schillinger-Single_Tax_Office_FD.pdf