Madison Clears Civil Rights Director of Discrimination Allegations, but Concerns About Leadership Persist
The City of Madison has exonerated Norman Davis, the Civil Rights Director, from allegations of gender and disability discrimination. However, a recent investigation highlights issues in his leadership style that have eroded trust within his department.
A detailed report, released following a public records request by Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), reveals findings from an external investigation conducted by the law firm O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing, costing up to $30,000. This investigation was initiated after a complaint was lodged last November by the Madison Professional & Supervisory Employees Association (MPSEA), alongside another complaint filed in May by an undisclosed individual.
The complaints alleged that Davis discriminated against female employees and those with disabilities. However, the report, authored by attorney Erica Reib, determined that Davis’s actions were not discriminatory. Reib noted a pattern of “strict rule adherence” and one-on-one meetings, which were applied in a “gender neutral” manner, despite the department being predominantly female.
“Although numerous employees had concerns about Director Davis’s behavior, frequently classifying it as ‘authoritarian’ or ‘bullying,’ I cannot conclude that these actions were directed toward female employees because of their sex,” Reib stated. The report also found no violations of disability-related policies, including a decision to deny an employee’s request for full-time remote work. Allegations of retaliating against employees seeking accommodations were also dismissed.
Regarding union representation, Reib concluded that Davis did not breach city policy by excluding union representatives from certain non-disciplinary meetings. “MPSEA is not entitled to be in non-disciplinary meetings,” Reib wrote, acknowledging employee desires for representation but affirming the legality of Davis’s actions.
Despite these conclusions, Reib emphasized that the concerns of employees were “genuinely expressed,” citing issues with Davis’s management approach and a pervasive fear of retaliation. She highlighted that his “rigidity” and poor communication contributed to a significant trust deficit in the Department of Civil Rights.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s office declined to comment on the report’s findings. Meanwhile, Davis, who remains in his role with a salary of $162,576, deferred comments to an attorney who has yet to respond. Davis has led the department since 2016, with his current contract set to expire in September of the following year, contingent on a recommendation from the mayor and approval from the Common Council.
