California H.R. Department Leaders Resign After Report Outlines Failures

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The top administrators of the California Department of Human Resources are leaving Friday as a state watchdog agency criticizes the department for failing to implement Gov. Jerry's Brown's government reforms.

The Sacramento Bee reported Thursday that CalHR Director Julie Chapman is retiring and her deputy, Howard Schwartz, is leaving to resume his former civil service job at the state pension fund.

They were tasked with implementing Brown's plan to make government more efficient and effective through their department's job of handling labor relations and employee management. That included improving recruiting and employee retention across state government and encouraging a work culture more nimble and less bureaucratic.

But a report released Thursday by the Little Hoover Commission said the department has not yet developed a strategic plan, has not streamlined many human resources functions and does not have the means to measure reorganization progress.

"Laws, regulations, policies and procedures mean little in government if the 355,000 Californians serving the public are not well-qualified, well-trained and motivated to succeed," wrote Jonathan Shapiro, the commission chair.

A government operations spokeswoman wouldn't tell the Bee if there was a connection between the report and the leadership changes.

The department was formed in 2012 as part of Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to reorganize state government. It has a $94 million budget and about 290 employees.

Chapman, 55, is retiring after working in human resources and labor relations for various state agencies since 1988. Through her position, she also served on the board of the California Public Employees' Retirement System, the nation's largest public pension fund.

Richard Gillihan of the Department of Finance will be CalHR's acting director. Pam Manwiller, a CalHR labor relations deputy director, has been promoted to acting chief deputy.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.