Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Amanda McClendon will hear testimony today related to a class-action lawsuit filed against the State of Tennessee, charging the State's Department of Human Resources with violating the two year-old Tennessee Excellence, Accountability and Management (TEAM) Act. The law, passed in 2012 by Bill Haslam's administration with support from the Tennessee State Employees Association, requires the state to provide a 60-day notice and career placement, job testing and job placement for any employees losing their jobs through lay-offs. The TSEA's lawsuit claims Tennessee pink-slipped more than 200 employees in May and shortly thereafter, shut down the NeoGov website that helps state workers find new positions. Although the website is scheduled to re-launch on Wednesday, the TSEA charges the employees of deprived of required services during their 60-day notice period.
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, McClendon issued a temporary restraining order that will allow the employees to keep their jobs pending the outcome of today's hearing.
