Transcript evaluator Ryon Rodgers was fired from Citrus College on May 3 — two days after speaking at a May 1 Board of Trustees meeting about being the target of race discrimination.
“Because I’m not a Glendoran and I look different from other employees here within our actual office,” Rodgers, who is African American, said at the meeting.
Rodgers was in an employment probationary period when he was fired from Admissions and Records. Staff members in a probationary period can be removed without explanation.
“They let me go five days before my one-year probationary period was up,” Rodgers said. “There was no reason provided.”
Rodgers said he thinks he was fire because spoke out about racial discrimination.
He spoke with director of human resources Robert Sammis about coworkers speaking disparagingly about African Americans.
“There were certain conversations regarding race that I brought to the attention of HR,” Rodgers said. “They did nothing about it.
“I know that there was a conversation that took place within the office describing minorities as, you know, gangbangers and drug dealers, and most of them were on their way to prison with a specific group of minorities.
“And that was one of the actual conversations that took place that I was kind of uncomfortable with that.”
Rodgers said after speaking with Sammis and seeing no response he decided to address the board of trustees. During his speech to the college Board of Trustees Rodgers said his coworkers went through his desk.
“I had employees going through my work documents and sabotaging work documents, which I do have records of here, that are printed physical,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers said several of his emails were erased when he came to work.
“I’ve been instructed not to contact or speak to other employees while I’m on the clock,and other employees have also been instructed not to speak to me while on the clock,” Rodgers said.
He unsuccessfully tried to find out why he was fired by contacting coworkers and managers, including dean of enrollment services Gerald Sequeira.
“I’ve on numerous occasions attempted to request meetings with my supervisors, with my dean and with human resources, and they also have all been denied, or just where I have received no response whatsoever,” Rodgers said.
In an email Sequeira declined to comment about Rodgers’ claims.
“I am not at liberty to discuss personnel matter regarding current or former employees,” Sequeira said in the email.
Director of human resources Robert Sammis also said he was unable to comment on the details of the Rodgers’ firing. Sammis explained at-will employees’ lack of job security.
“They can be released at any time during their probationary period,” Sammis said.
Sammis also said the college does not have to provide reasoning for terminating staff members during their probationary periods.
“That’s the law,” Sammis said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t give them a reason, but we’re not required to give a reason.”
