A well-known San Jose nonprofit is being accused of not doing enough to address claims of verbal and physical abuse in the workplace.
A former employee of Sacred Heart Community Service alleges their manager verbally and physically “assaulted” them. The worker, who asked not to be named due to fear of retaliation, quit a week after the July incident due to emotional distress. They reported the incident to higher ups on their last day, and current employees said the manager is still there.
“I really enjoy helping people and connecting people to resources, but it was a very horrible experience. Nobody has made me feel so miserable,” the former employee told San José Spotlight.
The employee alleges they endured months of verbal harassment from the manager, who made comments like, “You work for me, not Sacred Heart,” and “Don’t go too far because I’m micromanaging you.” The worker also alleges the manager would follow them whenever they left their desk to the bathroom or break room.
The worker alleges that one day in the warehouse, with no one else around, the manger hit them hard enough to leave a bruise. They showed pictures of barely visible bruising taken a week after the incident to San José Spotlight.
A letter sent by union representatives to Sacred Heart said the “egregious and violent act” is a violation of the nonprofit’s standards of conduct and employee handbook. The handbook notes zero tolerance for threats of violence or violence, and that those who violate the policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
“The fact that this program manager remains on-site… is a cause for concern. We hear this incident may not be the first time she assaulted a Sacred Heart employee,” the letter reads.
The union wants the manager to be put on administrative leave “for the potential safety of all Sacred Heart workers.”
Demone Carter, spokesperson for Sacred Heart, said the nonprofit investigated the incident based on its policies and procedures and “adjudicated it.” He said he couldn’t comment on what action was taken or the findings of the investigation since it’s an HR matter.
“At Sacred Heart, we have a strict zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence. Our Human Resources department thoroughly investigated the alleged incident and resolved it in full compliance with our policies and procedures,” he told San José Spotlight.
During this time, the union, SEIU 521, has been in contract negotiations with management at Sacred Heart to ensure members have a living wage and are in safe and equitable working conditions.
“Sacred Heart believes strongly in paying a living wage with a robust benefits package, uniting our community toward social change, and supporting people’s leadership development and growth,” Carter said. “We are working toward a contract that reflects those values.”
Of the nine proposals the union has put forward so far, management has either rejected or proposed no changes be made from the last contract, local union President Mullissa Willette said.
The contract expired on June 30, but remains in place until a new agreement is settled.
Sacred Heart, founded in 1964, offers food, clothing, housing and utility assistance and financial literacy for residents. Earlier this year, it shuttered its homelessness organizing committee and let go of the group’s organizer, citing dwindling resources.
With their anxiety spiraling after the alleged physical assault, the former employee said they checked into a hospital to get medication, confirmed by a hospital admissions report. Without a job and unable to pay rent, they said they are close to becoming homeless.
“It’s not fair that she still has her job and I was pushed to quit,” the former employee told San José Spotlight. “I felt Sacred Heart didn’t value my talent and skills. I (left) Sacred Heart with my heart broken because I considered it my home.”
Contact Joyce Chu at [email protected] or @joyce_speaks on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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