JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville City Council’s special investigative committee examining JEA heard an update Tuesday on allegations of a toxic workplace culture and racism, but members said they still have not seen definitive proof of either claim.
JEA is conducting an internal survey of its more than 2,000 employees about their workplace experiences. Committee members questioned whether the utility’s survey will provide enough detail to address the allegations and said they plan to move forward with a separate committee survey.
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The JEA survey includes statements employees are asked to rate from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree,” including “I feel genuinely appreciated at JEA” and “JEA operates at strong values.” Council members said they want their own questionnaire to more directly assess concerns about workplace culture and allegations involving senior leadership.
Council member Ron Salem said references to the “senior leadership team” should be removed from the committee’s draft survey and replaced with specific names, including CEO Vickie Cavey’s. Salem also said he wants to include JEA Human Resources Officer Diane Moser in the survey because her name has come up repeatedly in conversations with employees.
Council member Ju’Coby Pittman said she continues to hear from employees willing to testify publicly about their experiences at JEA, but some want assurances they will be protected from retaliation and can keep their jobs.
The committee voted to adopt its own survey, which will be reviewed by city attorneys.