TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Two state workers at the RA Gray Building are speaking out, accusing department leaders of forcing employees to work in the building despite strong odors, all while denying work-from-home requests.
The Department of State, which occupies the building, told WCTV in response to the accusations that they’re working to “ensure that there are no long-term issues caused by the fire.”
The employees asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs. They told WCTV a number of their colleagues have raised concerns about air quality inside the building following a fire on July 9.
WCTV was on scene as firefighters worked to control flames in the walls of the building. At the time, crews said the flames spread from the second floor walls to the third floor before getting under control.
Pictures shared by TFD showed several walls damaged by firefighters to access the flames.
The Department of State said at the time that the “core collections in the state archives of Florida, Museum of Florida History, and State Library are safe.”
The DOS spokesperson said employees had been sent home that day and would return to work the following week.
Last week, one employee told WCTV the building still smelled of smoke.
“Many of us experience light headedness when working in the building for prolonged periods,” they wrote.
Questions about the air quality inside the building have been left unanswered, they said.
“All of our e-mails have been ignored, and no official statement about the fire, or air quality has been made by leadership in the building,” they said.
Any request to work from home is being denied, they added.
“They’re essentially putting anyone who complains in a group to have their offices moved to another building on the edge of town,” they said.
On Monday, a Department of State spokesperson confirmed “some employees have reported odors, either from fire or cleaners used after the fire in a couple areas of the building.”
She added that “some [employees] have chosen to relocate while others have decided to stay in the building.”
Another employee talked with WCTV Tuesday. They said the lack of communication from department leaders has been frustrating.
“We have heard that air quality tests have been done, but we are still awaiting the results,” they said. “That information has come to us piecemeal through different supervisors and heads of departments, et cetera, different leadership.”
That employee complimented their middle management supervisors for doing the best they can, but called on leadership to be more transparent.
“It seems like the safest option, both from the concern of employee health as well as the concern from protecting the Department of State from a lawsuit, which I think is a very real possibility at this point, is to send everybody home for the foreseeable future,” they said.
“Make sure that the building is cleared out. Give us a few weeks. Wait till the air quality tests come back, and you can prove to everybody and show to everybody that it is safe to be in this building, and then have everyone come back.”
When asked about denied work-from-home requests, the DOS spokesperson replied, “We have a telework policy, but there is no need in this instance because we have space available at other DOS properties in Tallahassee.”
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