Report I2021-1 Recommendation 9 Responses

Report I2021-1: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Agencies and Employees (Release Date: May 2021)

Case Number I2019-1405

Recommendation #9 To: State Hospitals, Department of

To remedy the effects of the improper governmental activities this investigation identified and to prevent those activities from recurring, DSH should strengthen its hiring process to ensure that successful candidates meet the established minimum qualifications for civil service positions.

Agency Response From September 2021

DSH reported that, as of the end of August 2021, all managers in the affected division had attended the training that was facilitated by human resources staff.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented

Agency Response From May 2021

DSH reported in May 2021 that it updated its recruitment memo that requires hiring managers to use either the DSH Employment Reference Check form or the hiring manager must obtain approval from a classifications and pay analyst to use a different form. It also added an additional box to verify specific dates of employment to the Employment Reference Check form. An existing box is in place to include the candidates' area of responsibility. Further, DSH reported that training for managers and supervisors in the affected division is scheduled for June 2021. The training content has been created, and DSH human resources team members will facilitate the trainings.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented

Agency Response From March 2021

DSH reported that it will strengthen its current process by requiring the verification of relevant work history and experience during reference checks and—to ensure that the additional verification occurs—by updating the recruitment memo that managers are expected to complete during the hiring process. Finally, DSH reported that it will provide training on the revised process for supervisors in the affected division by June 30, 2021.