N.H. Town Employees Settle Over Being Fired For Gossiping

Two of the four women fired from town jobs in Hooksett, N.H. for gossiping have settled lawsuits against the town, according to the Associated Press.

The town’s insurance company is paying $65,000 each to Joanne Drewniak and Jessica Skorupski for back pay, damages and attorney’s fees.

The settlement says neither side admits any wrongdoing.

The town agreed to remove termination letters from the women’s files and will give both favorable letters of reference. The women promised to never seek another town job in Hooksett.

The women were fired last April, along with town assessor Sandra Piper and code enforcement officer Michelle Bonsteel. Lawsuits by Piper and Bonsteel still are pending.

The town said the women spread gossip about the town administrator. The women say they were merely questioning why another employee seemed to be getting preferential treatment.