OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Controversy is brewing in the Osceola Clerk of Courts Office over community outreach.
Armando Ramirez has been making sure his office is part of events and festivals all over the county, but some of his employees told Channel 9's Nancy Alvarez they're being forced to attend, and they're questioning the clerk's motives.
Alvarez obtained emails that broke down the shifts employees are being asked to fill at various weekend events. One is for an upcoming Caribbean festival this weekend.
Some employees said they don't want to attend the events but feel it could cost them their jobs if they don't.
PDF: Read Ramirez's Full Response
PDF: Office, Work Schedule Policy and Procedures
Employees who talked with Channel 9 are afraid of losing their jobs so we're withholding their identities.
They said supervisors have started asking for volunteers to attend weekend events in exchange for compensation time, but they said it isn't optional.
In one email, Ramirez's chief deputy tells department heads, "I am relying on all my directors to make sure this happens. No excuses."
Another email reads, "If we do not get any volunteers, we will be appointing people to work the event."
Two weekends at the Osceola County Fair cost the office $450 for space for Ramirez's booth.
Employees said they believe the increase in public events is for campaigning purposes.
In a letter, Ramirez told Channel 9 the goal is to educate the community about services. He pointed to events like Operation Green Light, which gave people the chance to save fees on traffic tickets.
He said he recently moved all employees to flexible work shifts to reach the goal of becoming the "best clerk's office in the nation."
Ramirez even acknowledged employees aren't happy about it, but for the ones who reached out to WFTV, it's an understatement.
"Most of us that work have children. Now we have to set aside whatever we have to do because we have to volunteer, and I don't believe that's fair," one said.
WFTV
