Christy Matthews, CSC Docket No. 2022-2334

BackgroundThe appeal of Christy Matthews, Keyboarding Clerk 1, Burlington County, Sheriff's Department, release at the end of the working test period, effective March 11, 2022, was heard by Administrative Law Judge William T. Cooper III (ALJ), who rendered his initial decision on May 3, 2024. Exceptions and a response to the reply were filed by the appellant, and a reply to the exceptions and a response were filed on behalf of the appointing authority.

AnalysisHaving considered the record and the attached ALJ’s initial decision, including a thorough review of the exceptions, replies, and responses, and having made an independent evaluation of the record, the Civil Service Commission (Commission), at its meeting on June 12, 2024, accepted and adopted the determinations contained in the ALJ’s initial decision and his recommendation to uphold the release at the end of the working test period.

Upon its de novo review of the ALJ’s initial decision as well as the entire record, including the exceptions filed by the appellant, the Commission agrees with the ALJ’s determinations. The Commission makes the following comments. The ALJ found that although the appellant blamed the lack of training she received from her supervisor, she failed to address the specific deficiencies contained in the work progress reports. The ALJ also addressed her lateness issues and how this was not a training matter. In her exceptions, the appellant does not substantively address these issues, but rather, she asks the Commission to now investigate complaints of other coworkers who may have had issues with her supervisor. The Commission notes that such issues should have been raised and addressed at the Office of Administrative Law. Regardless, as found by the ALJ, the appellant failed to establish a nexus between the lack of training and her actual mistakes.

Further, while the appointing authority objects to the Commission’s acceptance of the exceptions and a response to the reply to the exceptions, its arguments are unpersuasive. The Commission has previously indicated in other matters its interest in having a complete a record as possible absent any prejudice. See In the Mater of Robert Zorn, Jr., Mercer County Department of Human Services (MSB, decided April 5, 2006) (Untimely exceptions were accepted as they were received prior to the matter being considered and the appointing authority had an opportunity to respond). In the instant matter, the Commission finds no prejudice in accepting the exceptions and a response to the reply to the exceptions filed by the appellant. The appointing authority had the opportunity to respond.

ORDER

The Civil Service Commission finds that the action of the appointing authority in releasing the appellant at the end of the working test period was justified. The Commission therefore affirms that action and dismisses the appeal of Christy Matthews.

ClosingThis is the final administrative determination in this matter. Any further review should be pursued in a judicial forum.