PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — City councilors spent nearly two hours Wednesday in a closed-door meeting asking questions of Providence’s chief personnel officer, after reports the city staffer held a second part-time government job in Massachusetts.
Paul Winspeare, Providence’s chief human resources officer, was under review last month after the city learned he was also employed as an interim personnel director in Georgetown, nearly 100 miles away. Georgetown’s town administrator described the position as a “remote flex-job,” where Winspeare’s main task was to update the city’s personnel policy manual.
When city officials got wind of Winspeare’s outside employment, Mayor Brett Smiley’s office initiated a review of the situation. Smiley spokesperson Josh Estrella said at the time that while outside employment was not prohibited, employees cannot conduct other business during city work hours.
Providence’s HR director no longer has second job
That review concluded last week, and Estrella said Winspeare was still employed by the city of Providence. Target 12 learned on Monday that Winspeare completed his assigned tasks for Georgetown just last week, and left the job on good terms.
Winspeare was named as Providence’s chief human resources officer last May, but the department recently underwent restructuring and is now referred to as the Department of People and Culture. Winspeare’s new title is chief people officer, though his $132,567 salary remains unchanged.
The City Council’s Committee on Finance met in executive session on Wednesday night to hear from city officials and Winspeare about the situation.
June Rose, the council’s chief of staff, said councilors had “significant concerns,” and wanted the opportunity to ask questions.
“The council takes its accountability role seriously, which is why they did their due diligence asking tough questions in executive session,” Rose said. “Councilors were satisfied with Mr. Winspeare’s answers, and have confidence in his past and future performance with the city.”
Rose said Winspeare is now leading a “much-needed reorganization” of the city department.
“Councilors are here to support Mr. Winspeare in his efforts to make the city of Providence a positive, safe, and productive place to work,” Rose added.
Councilors disclosed no votes were taken when they returned to open session, and voted to seal the minutes from Wednesday night’s meeting.
Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook.