Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Sparks Group Corporate Headquarters 77 Upper Rock Circle, Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20850
TO: HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
RE: CONTRACT TEMP GRACE C. WALKER TERMINATION NOTICE - MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2023
On Monday, October 30, 2023, I received a telephone call from Sparks Staffing Representative, Becca Haney, informing me of my termination as a Contract Temp Employee. The basis for this termination was my alleged failure to fulfill an assignment at Westat on Wednesday, October 25th, 2023.
I hereby submit my response to contest this termination decision.
I have been a dedicated Temp Worker with Sparks for over a decade and have maintained a commendable working history with Sparks Agency in the DC Metro Area, assuming various roles and responsibilities. I joined the Temp workforce at the Rockville office in 2019 and have since been assigned to numerous short-term projects, including those involving Westat over the past year.
Whenever a Temp opportunity arises, I diligently adhere to a set protocol. This includes receiving written notifications a minimum of 24 to 48 hours in advance of the assignment commencement. These notifications typically include essential information such as the assignment name, Point of Contact, assignment address, and work hours.
Around Wednesday, October 18, 2023, Becca Haney reached out to inquire about my availability for the Westat assignment scheduled for Wednesday, October 25th. At that time, I confirmed my availability.
Subsequently, on Friday, October 20, 2023, Ms. Haney informed me that Westat required an updated badge picture and requested that I provide a selfie picture. I promptly complied and sent her the requested image.
On Monday, October 23, 2023, Ms. Haney informed me that she had not yet received confirmation on the acceptability of the provided picture. She requested a retake against a white background, which I promptly submitted. Unfortunately, I did not receive any further communication regarding the picture's approval.
By Tuesday, October 24th, I had not received any email confirming the assignment details, including the arrival time, the Westat building address, or a designated Point of Contact.
In the absence of firm verification that the Westat opportunity was confirmed, I accepted another project for Wednesday, October 25th, 2023. I responsibly informed Becca Haney via text message at or before 7 a.m. on that day that I would not be available for the Westat assignment.
Later that morning, on Wednesday, October 25th, Ms. Haney called me, expressing a strong desire for me to reconsider my availability for the Westat assignment. I reiterated that I had already committed to another project, which I was obligated to complete, making it impossible for me to fulfill the Westat assignment.
On Monday, October 30th, 2023, Ms. Haney contacted me to convey my termination as a Sparks employee due to non-compliance. She stated, in paraphrase, that I had failed to report for the Westat assignment, and as a result, my employment with Sparks was terminated.
Rather than engaging in a debate with Ms. Haney or the leadership at Sparks Rockville Headquarters regarding the wisdom of their decision, I chose not to expend my mental and emotional energy on this matter. I thanked her for the notification.
In my view, Sparks Rockville Headquarters Staffing Agency and its representatives have demonstrated inadequate supervisory leadership and have relied on unfounded grounds for my termination from the Temp Contract. I present this account of my termination with Sparks Staffing Agency as evidence of irresponsible Human Resource Staffing practices.
Sincerely,
Grace C. Walker read more