FARGO (KFGO) – The City of Fargo has released the results of a new program called “stay interviews” aimed to give employees the opportunity to have discussions with supervisors and help the city retain employees.
Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski said his department had already been working on many of the issues identified in the City’s first ever “stay” report.
The report was conducted internally by the human resources department. 90 officers and civilian employees were interviewed over several weeks.
Keeping employees and attracting new hires was one of the goals. It followed the retirements and resignations of several officers not long after Zibolski took over.
“I think it brings up and confirms a lot of issues that we had identified and had been working on,” Zibolski said. “It’s certainly an additional way to increase that internal communication, and kind of grow the comfort level because the idea is to move this process forward.”
Stress, burnout, staff shortages, confusion over work assignments and internal politics among the areas of concern. Strengths include training, the department’s overall reputation, pay and benefits.
“I think we’ve seen a lot of transition,” incoming City Administrator Mike Redlinger said. “There have been exits in the department in the last year, but a lot of great new hires, as well as some experienced hires. There has been a lot of change. I think it’s fundamentally different this year even compared to a year ago. I think the report reflects that.”
Six short-term recommendations for the police department were identified.
All city departments will undergo a similar review.
