112 Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofi t Organizations
Exercise 4.1: Susan - Steve Stanton
Steve Stanton served for fourteen years as the city manager of Largo,
Florida. In fall 2007, commissioners raised his salary nearly 9 percent
to $ 140,234 a year. But after he publicly stated that he planned to have
gender - reassignment surgery and change his name to Susan, the city com-
mission terminated him. His intentions were known to his wife, his medical
team, and the city ’ s mayor, fi re, and police chiefs. As an at - will employee,
Stanton could be terminated at any time, “ with or without cause, ” according
to his contract.
City commissioners stated that they heard from dissatisfi ed employees
in regard to the city manager ’ s management style. Employees referred to
him as abrupt and condescending, and he required that work be completed
his way. Despite this, Stanton had been the city manager for fourteen
years, his management style was well known, he had received positive
job performance evaluations over the past fourteen years, and his recent
performance evaluation provided him with a 9 percent pay increase. City
managers typically have contracts noting that they serve at will and can
be terminated by a majority vote of council members.Questions
- Why do you think Susan - Steve Stanton was fi red? Do you believe it
was his attitude or his impending sex-change surgery? - Should gender identity be protected under local, state, or federal
nondiscrimination laws?
Sources: Helfand (2007a, 2007b).