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Ex-dispatcher alleges race, age discrimination

by KEITH KINNAIRD/Hagadone News Network
| July 8, 2014 9:00 PM

SANDPOINT - A former 911 dispatcher filed a charge of discrimination Monday against Bonner County.

Diana Elsfelder contends she was ousted from her job as a senior telecommunications specialist because of her race and age. Elsfelder, 54, is Native American.

Elsfelder further asserts that her firing was retaliatory.

The Idaho Human Rights Commission and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the charge on Elsfelder's behalf. The charge can serve as a prelude to a job discrimination lawsuit.

Elsfelder was hired by the dispatch center in 2008 and fired in February this year. She alleges the discrimination started in 2011 and persisted until her termination.

Elsfelder alleges that she was denied promotional opportunities, training and participation in special projects. Elsfelder also maintains that she had seniority in selecting work shifts, but management relegated her to graveyard and weekend shifts.

Elsfelder also contends that she was wrongly accused of negligence on a call in which a man died. Elsfelder insists she followed the proper protocols, but ended up being suspended for two weeks.

Elsfelder filed a claim for $250,000 in damages against Bonner County in 2013. The claim alleged that officials allowed a hostile workplace to fester, a condition which worsened after appeals were made for county commissioners to intervene.

Two other dispatchers filed similar claims in 2013.

Commission Chairman Cary Kelly and Human Resources Director Pamela Allen did not immediately respond on Monday to requests for comment on Elsfelder's charge of discrimination, which is being regarded as a tort claim.

The Seattle field office of EEOC is investigating Elsfelder's claims. The agency has invited the county to take part in mediation to resolve the charge.

If the investigation finds no violation of the law, Elsfelder would be permitted to file suit. If the agency finds a violation, it will seek to reach a voluntary settlement with the county.

If a settlement can't be reached, the EEOC may pursue legal action against the county or refer the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice.