Comments on: Fired Restaurant Inspector Alleges Department Retaliation

By: Darrell San Francisco

Darrell San Francisco — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 02:04:41 +0000

Doesn’t Sandra Orzel have the right to appeal her firing to the civil service commission? Sandra should be in contact with her union, Local 21, (I think) to determine her rights as a fired probationary employee.

A newly hired employee is not hired permanently if they clearly demonstrate that they cannot perform their duties competently and effectively. From reading the article, it seems Sandra ability to perform effectively is not in doubt.

By: Deb - Dallas, Tx

Deb - Dallas, Tx — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:31:51 +0000

SF is one of my favorite cities, and I’ve had the opportunity of sharing it on several occassions with friends. I made sure everyone noticed the displayed restaurant ratings as a way to know which restaurants were safe. (Displayed health department ratings isn’t done in Texas.)

It’s unfortunate that unethical behavior and practices have apparently taken over the department. It’s a complete lack of leadership in the department, a mismanagement of pulic funds, and an abuse of the general public (locals and tourists).

I will have to rethink when I will return for my next visit.

By: Brisa Tropical

Brisa Tropical — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 02:56:49 +0000

Her diligence may have bought her plenty of ill-will from coworkers. Maybe she was jeopardizing a fringe benefit that some of her fellow inspectors had become accustomed to enjoying; a little “inducement” to look the other way, or not so thoroughly ding infractions?
Bribery can take many forms.

It’s in the interest of San Franciscans and its huge tourism industry that we get to the core of why she was terminated.

By: Michael Johnston

Michael Johnston — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:26:12 +0000

This woman was fired for working too hard, pure and simple. Her pace and the duration of her inspections were about to expose the rest of the department for being lazy. She did more inspections than the rest of the department in spite of the thorough nature. The should fire her imediate supervisor, hire her back and install her in his or her vacant slot.

By: Brisa Tropical

Brisa Tropical — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 01:59:53 +0000

don: Why are you introducing cryptic innuendo into this? If you have verifiable information, make it known.
This is an important issue about a department whose function plays an important role in people’s lives.

By: Sandra Orzel

Sandra Orzel — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:59:16 +0000

Thank you Mission Loc@L for printing my story. Since this is an anonymous forum, if you have something to say don’t be a coward. My story is out because I feel I have nothing to hide. It is true there are at least 2 sides for every story. I encourage everyone to speak up because if we are quiet and do nothing we are allowing prejudice to exist. And prejudice does not benefit either side.

By: don

don — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:46:54 +0000

Having worked in the past with this person lets just say there is two sides to every story. you all rush to judgement on a story told from one side. until the dept has their side told……..they probably cant due to pending litigation……….we can only quess and talk out of our a%%es

By: Napper Tandy

Napper Tandy — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:53:45 +0000

This is complete bullshit. I don’t trust anyone in that department. We finally get a decent inspector who cares and she is fired because she filed a complaint on an employee who was harassing her. F*&ked Up!
Go to my site where I list other corrupt SF activities.

By: Jim Schmidt

Jim Schmidt — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:10:33 +0000

I’ve been a REHS and working for local government on and off since 1990. What this inspector found is what makes my job difficult. When “old school” politics and unethical principles dictate the policies and the public see this then the automatic assumption is that all REHS’s are that way.

I’ve been lucky at the places I’ve worked and haven’t had what this inspector had to deal with.

Most REHS’s are professionally licensed. When our profession gets tarnished by one individual we all get associated with that act as if it’s just a matter of time before we will do it, unlike other professionals, such as nurses, engineers, police officers.

By: Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:47:52 +0000

I’m alarmed by how old-school corrupt the health department is, where bribery and nepotism is rampant and an inspector with as much integrity as Orzel is kicked out for rocking the boat.

It’s scary to think about. Any SF restaurant we eat at could actually have enough health violations that it should immediately be shut down, but because of bribery, neglect, or ignorance it remains open and might even be bolstered by a high rating by the Department of Public Health. This is a department that is supposed to be protecting our health, but instead is only protecting itself!