‘The lawsuits are coming’: Spike O’Neill delves into ‘horrific’ Seattle City Light allegations

The findings of an investigation into Seattle City Light were released this week, revealing significant misconduct allegations against 33 employees, reported KIRO 7.

Spike O’Neill, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, called the discovery “shocking” and “horrific.”

According to KIRO 7, the investigation was spurred after years of anonymous complaints. It uncovered a longstanding culture of on-the-job drinking, sexual harassment, and retaliation involving several members of the Network Group, which is part of Seattle City Light’s Transmission and Distribution Operations Division. The media outlet explained the group is in charge of underground electrical infrastructure in downtown Seattle.

However, Spike said, “You don’t deserve to lose your livelihood on your allegations alone; as the story said, not all the 40 people that were caught up in this investigation were disciplined.”

KIRO 7 stated that so far, Seattle City Light has fired five people, which includes resignations and retirements in lieu of termination, suspended seven people, given out nine verbal or written warnings, and instated mandatory coaching and training.

Spike: DEI needed in case of Seattle City Light allegations

Spike said the findings are why diversity, equity, and inclusion policies need to be in place.

“When you get projects like DEI, where candidates are considered for opportunities, who were never considered before, candidates of different, different genders, different ethnicities. It’s the painful growth, the growing pains of diversifying a workforce and the pioneers, if not, of these women going into this particular field, who are subjected to these old school, misogynistic, abusive mentalities who blow the whistle, and it took a decade for me to hear the whistle, but that this is what DEI does,” Spike shared. “It cures long-rooted, systemic issues like this; at least, it brings them to light.”

Spike made the point that stories on workplace harassment used to get pushed under the rug.

“It was a good thing this story came out because these are the kind of stories that didn’t used to come out, that used to get buried, even when discipline was had,” he said.

Spike added, “I was horrified to see the details of the story. And I feel for the people who were subjected to these abuses by co-workers and superiors, whether it’s forcing them to drink alcohol, withstanding sexual assault and harassment. I’m glad to see the story being reported.”

What’s next for Seattle City Light?

Spike believes “the lawsuits are coming.”

Contributing: Shawn Garrett, KIRO 7

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.