Avondale Community Center manager can return to work

Staff Photo / Gerald Perry, longtime facilities manager at the Avondale Youth and Family Development Center, tosses sand at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new $6 million center 2018. Perry will be allowed to return to work following a human resources investigation by the city of Chattanooga. Staff Photo / Gerald Perry, longtime facilities manager at the Avondale Youth and Family Development Center, tosses sand at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new $6 million center 2018. Perry will be allowed to return to work following a human resources investigation by the city of Chattanooga.

By David Floyd January 27, 2024 7 min read

The manager at Avondale Community Center, Gerald Perry, will be able to return to work after a human resources investigation found he created a toxic work environment at the facility.

City spokesperson Liam Collins said in a text Perry was issued a final written warning and will follow a performance improvement plan, a program set with supervisors to address problem areas that led to disciplinary action.

The investigation began after an employee submitted a complaint in mid-November. Perry was placed on administrative leave, and an investigation substantiated objections about the working conditions, stating Perry was controlling, threatened reassignments, yelled and gave people the silent treatment.