Resident asks commissioners to press vendor over unpaid accrued time after kitchen services change

Joanne Carmody, who identified herself as the mother of a Rockingham County dietary employee, addressed the Board of Commissioners during public comment on July 31 to report that employees working under the county’s food‑service contractor were not reimbursed for accrued paid time off (PTO) or vacation.

“Those employees have not been reimbursed for the earned time that they had accrued, whether it's paid time off or vacation time,” Carmody told the board. She said employees were told by Whitsons (the vendor previously providing dietary services) in May that they could no longer put in for time off because the operation was short‑staffed and that accrued time therefore could not be used. Carmody said her daughter and other long‑service employees were affected and requested the county’s assistance.

County officials responded that the county’s contractual relationship limits its ability to directly compel a private vendor to reimburse employees. A commissioner who identified himself as Kate Coyle told Carmody, “the county itself doesn't have any control over what a vendor does,” and encouraged pursuing a Department of Labor wage claim. Another commissioner said he had asked staff to estimate the county’s potential exposure and that an initial estimate ran “over a $100,000,” meaning the aggregate amount owed to affected workers could be substantial if the county were to cover it.

Why it matters: The complaint raises questions about vendor responsibilities when the county changes food‑service contractors at a county facility and about how employee‑accrued benefits are treated during a contract transition.

Action requested and board response: Carmody asked the commissioners to press Whitsons for reimbursement or to help resolve the matter; commissioners said they would listen and advise but noted statutory and contractual limits. Commissioners recommended pursuing the state Department of Labor for wage‑claim remedies and suggested affected employees collect records documenting hours and accrued time to strengthen any claim.

No formal county action or appropriation was taken during the meeting; commissioners did not vote to pay the amounts Carmody referenced.