Can the board discipline or suspend the county social services director rather than dismissing him or her?
Yes. In order to take any disciplinary action (such as issuing a written warning or suspending the director without pay), however, the board must have just cause and must follow the procedures required by the State Personnel Commission.
In order to suspend the director without pay based on unsatisfactory job performance, the board must have given the director at least one prior written warning regarding the director’s performance or conduct. Before suspending the director without pay, the board must conduct a pre-suspension conference with the director and provide the director with written notice of the specific acts or omissions that are the reasons for the suspension. Disciplinary suspension of a county social services director without pay must be for a period of at least one full work week and may not exceed two full work weeks.