Zinke: No harassment allowed at National Parks

KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is personally encouraging employees of the National Park Service to report any workplace harassment they experience or witness.

Zinke on Friday rounded out his visit to California’s cherished parks at Kings Canyon and Yosemite, where the superintendent last year retired amid criticism he created a hostile workplace.

The department’s inspector general reports this week revealed Yosemite’s former superintendent called employees “stupid” and “lazy.”

They also revealed a “men’s club” at Yellowstone, where women have endured inappropriate comments and advances.

Zinke says part of the trip was to deliver the message of his zero-tolerance policy directly to the employees.

Yosemite Ranger Jamie Richards says Zinke met with 150 of Yosemite’s workers. She says his message came through clearly that they are part of a team.