"I Really Want My Job Back": Fired HR Director Taking Legal Action

Debi Humann, the city’s human resources director who this week was fired by Edmonds Mayor Mike Cooper, is hiring an attorney in an attempt to get her job back.

“I have to be confident that within the next couple of weeks truth about this all comes out, and I really want my job back,” Humann said. “I’ve never gone through something like this before. If you have a benefit problem, I can talk to you because that’s my job. But this, I don’t know what to do.”

Cooper, in a statement, says the firing of Humann was one of lack of trust.

“This is not a decision that came lightly, but a change was needed,” he said. “The city's ability to function relies on a relationship between the mayor and staff that is based on the highest level of trust and confidentiality. In order to have the public trust the city needs a committed staff that maintains that highest level of trust with the mayor and council.”

According to sources within the city of Edmonds, who did not want to be named, Humann’s firing came after some city staff members had complained about a city staff member’s work hours and had contacted the State Auditor's office to look at the staff member’s time sheets. 

According to former Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson in a Facebook post, Cooper offered Humann $50,000 not to bring a suit against the city. Haakenson, when contacted, would not comment further.

When asked about the allegation, Cooper replied: “In response to the former mayor’s comments, I have not seen them. However, it is important to note that it is a common practice to offer employees a severance package in these situations. Ms Humann was given such an offer, and has yet to either accept or reject it. Under the advice of counsel, I will not make any other statements at this time.”

Carrie Hite, Edmonds’ director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, is currently interim HR director for the city. She confirmed that some in the city were concerned about the staff member’s work hours. She also praised the former HR director. “Debi Humann is liked and respected by all of the staff. It was a shock for everybody.”

Humann, 53, is a lifelong resident of Edmonds who began her tenure with the city in 1999 as a receptionist. She was profiled in The Herald in July as part of the newspaper’s continuing series of stories of those whose names fit the type of job they were doing.

When contacted at her Edmonds home, Humann—her voice breaking at times—said she had to be careful about what she said because it was in her best interest.

“I stand by all the decisions that I made and all the actions that I took as HR director for city of Edmonds. I think want I did was right, and I would do it again. My thought, my alliances, still remain with city employees. I believe in the goal of public employment, which is to provide the best public services we can publically provide.”

Humann says she’s grateful for the support she’s received.

“I am completely overwhelmed and touched by number of phone calls, text messages and people stopping by my house.”