LANSING — An attempt by a former employee of an Ionia County mental health organization to file a whistleblower claim reveals the complex process of trying to find appropriate resources for those struggling with mental health issues.
The Michigan Court of Appeals recently affirmed the dismissal of a whistleblower claim but reversed an Ionia County judge’s denial of a motion made by a fired employee of The Right Door for Hope, Recovery & Wellness in Ionia.
The Right Door terminated Marcus Griffey’s employment as a licensed master’s degree social worker shortly after Griffey filed a report with the state of Michigan of suspected malpractice and violations of the Public Health Code, according to court records.
Griffey worked as a mental health clinician for The Right Door from 2017 until he was fired on March 17, 2021. Griffey asserted that The Right Door wrongfully terminated him for reporting the agency’s “suspected violations of laws, rules and regulations regarding the treatment of a patient for which he was responsible,” in violation of the Whistleblower’s Protection Act.
Specifically, Griffey accused The Right Door of failing to properly manage the care of a man whom Griffey believed to be a danger to himself and others.
The Right Door countered that Griffey was not protected by the Whistleblower’s Act and that he was fired due to poor work performance.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
According to court documents, Griffey was placed on a corrective action plan by The...
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