A dispute about whether Naper Settlement’s Research Curator resigned or was fired has led to the hiring of attorneys by both sides.
Longtime Naper Settlement Employee Bryan Ogg is now without a job.
At the end of march, the museum was notified that Ogg had been asked to co-author a book on the history of Naperville on his own time. After discussion on the matter, Naper Settlement claims he resigned, leaving the job voluntarily, but Ogg says he was fired.
In a letter sent to the President and CEO of Naper Settlement, Macarena Tamayo-Calabrese, Ogg’s attorney, Chuck Corrigan, says his termination is in violation of this first amendment right to speak, stating:
“You told Bryan that he had to either not write the book or resign his job. Bryan stood on his rights and told you he would not resign. Nothing in your policies gives you unfettered discretion to arbitrarily deny Bryan an opportunity to co-author this book, nor did you have any right to fire him because he would not accept your arbitrary decision.”
The letter goes on to ask for Ogg’s full reinstatement to his position and permission to co-author the Naperville history book.
The Naperville Heritage Society nor Naper Settlement could comment on any employee matter but did respond further:
“We stand firm that all employees past or present have been treated fairly, professionally and with respect. As for the statements that the institution has lost a tremendous source of knowledge, be assured that we have retained all the subject matter knowledge and depth we’ve have always had,” said Rena Tamayo-Calabrese, the President and CEO of Naper Settlement.
Seven volunteers at the settlement have spoken out in Ogg’s defense, signing a letter addressed to the mayor and sent to the Naperville Heritage Society Board and the Settlement Museum Board asking that the matter be fully investigated.
Tamayo-Calabrese said they have over 1,200 volunteers and are grateful for the wonderful work they do each day and each year.
Ogg was hired in 2004 as Assistant Curator at Naper Settlement and was later promoted to Curator of research in 2010.
Naperville News 17’s Alyssa Bochenek reports.