Letters to the editor: Human resources field needs reform; Dr. Woodburn will be missed

HR reform is long overdue

Re: your March 29 story, “County expands harassment policies after ex-CEO’s exit”:

Recent experience has made me aware of various devious and underhanded strategies employed by many HR departments to deter employees from preventing workplace misconduct. Obviously abusive practices by those in leadership are harmful to workforces and to society. Reform within the field of human resources is long overdue. Ventura County could lead a charge against such devious methods of control by punishing those who enact them, not by allowing them to just sail away into retirement when they do. Such actions are what is truly required to protect workers — not training videos.

Tolerance of relational aggression, especially towards those who confront it, is the primary issue. Such aggression affects those lower in hierarchies more profoundly than those charged with preventing it. Since leadership positions set behavior patterns, strong disciplinary action including termination of the at-will employees responsible is due. Personal integrity must be regarded as the most essential attribute of all workers, but particularly of those in leadership. Oral proficiency is of far lesser value.

There is a biblical term for the rewarding of bad behavior and the punishing of those who do good. The captain of Ventura County must be aware of the abominable impacts of social aggression. Without strong intentionality those with “seared consciences” steer the ship by default. If the Kraken of narcissistic abuse arose out of Southern California culture, then all of us here who are “people of good will” have a duty to demand that problematic behaviors are treated effectively.

Future generations depend that we do not allow covert verbal abuse, retaliation against whistleblowers, and bad examples to lead and intimidate. They are the ones who must be made examples of. Those who stand against them should not be shamed for the “necessary trouble” they endure to “help redeem the soul of America.”

Mark McCormack, Camarillo

Woodburn was a classy physician

I was sad to see the passing of Dr. James Woodburn II in the March 31 obituaries. I first met Dr. Woodburn when I arrived in Ventura as a newly minted physician July 1, 1979. Not only was he welcoming but always had a kind word whenever we met in the hospital. While we did not share in the care of many patients, I always knew he was ready to jump in and help should I need him.

He was one of those few classy physicians represented by Dr. Marcus Welby or in a Norman Rockwell painting, always with a kind word, great bedside manner, excellent clinical expertise, and overall dedicated to his patients. He has left a wonderful legacy in his children, two of whom followed in his footsteps as excellent surgeons. He will be missed.

Jeffrey R. Richardson, MD, Ventura

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: Reform human resources; Dr. Woodburn will be missed