Internal investigation underway at Irwin County Hospital following employee complaint

OCILLA, Ga. (WALB) — Irwin County Hospital’s human resources department is conducting an internal investigation after a former employee filed a formal workplace complaint against hospital leadership, according to hospital leaders.

The complaint, dated June 18, alleges a hostile work environment, unequal enforcement of workplace policies, a lack of support for employees during staffing shortages and unethical business practices. The former employee also claims hospital leadership contributed to workplace instability and that employees resigned under duress.

Hospital CEO Mary Demian said she was not aware of the complaint until it was presented to HR and that she could not discuss specifics until the investigation is complete.

“Like any complaint, we take it seriously, and we follow the proper steps, which is why we launch HR investigations,” Demian said. “Based on the allegations in that letter, we investigate every letter, every word in that letter, as a hospital, as a system-wide.”

On the allegation of inconsistent policy enforcement, the CEO pushed back.

“Policy enforcement is not subject to personal translations,” she said. “Policy is set there to run—to use it as our platform.”

When asked why employees may be frustrated, Demian pointed to hospital change.

“Change is very serious. We are implementing a lot of new workflows, and not everyone adopts change easily,” she said.

The complaint also alleges a significant number of employees have resigned. Demian disputed that claim.

“When I came, we had 140 employees. Today, in our census, there is 165 employees,” she said. “I gained a lot of employees than I lost.”

The investigation comes after employees experienced delayed paychecks in February because of financial constraints.

The city of Ocilla also temporarily shut off the hospital’s water service in January over a $20,000 unpaid balance before service was restored.

“Yes, the hospital has been through a lot,” Demian said. “But by the effort of our employees and our community and our board, we are still going, and we are still improving.”

WALB spoke with former employees who say they stand behind the complaint but declined to speak in fear of retaliation.

WALB’s Moriah Norman will have more in our later newscasts. Stay with us.

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