Letter to the Editor
The Madness must Stop!
Dear Sir:
I need your help, or thehelp of a progressive, honorable and genuine reader.
Having lived and worked in the Cayman Islands now for almost 4years I have been faced with many interesting, to say the least,experiences both professionally and socially, yet none have negativelyimpacted my view and enjoyment of this beautiful island as muchas the one I will now explain.
When I first arrived in 1997 I was part of the management teamat the Westin and I took over a position that had been left vacantfor some time. Of course this meant that the team had not hadany real guidance or training, added to the sometimes, local attitudeof 'this is my country and I will do what I want when I want madefor a very challenging role. Regardless, through constant positivecoaching, exchange of ideas and experiences, mutual respect andgenuine interest in my associates, we took our department to newlevels of customer care and satisfaction whilst instilling professionalism,vision and pride in the team. I never once had any altercationswith my team that were so serious or in vain as to compromisemy employment or indeed relationship(s) with my team.
I then took a position at a well known transportation/tour companyas Operations Manager. After meeting with the owner/managing directorit was thought (mutually) that my hospitality and personnel experiencewould be of great benefit to his operations. He was also veryclear about wanting to hire a strong, capable manager that wouldstand firm on operational issues and decision making. Basicallyhe wanted a straight shooter, and that I am, whilst exercisingrespect & diplomacy where necessary.
We shook hands and I started my new job. Not even weeks afterI started it was made abundantly clear that I was merely an extensionof his whim and would do and say whatever he deemed appropriate.I was told several times that I should not question him or hisways as it was his company and he would run it as he saw fit,also I should remember that I am an expatriate. Of course thiswas very disappointing, to say the least, however I gave him &the situation the benefit of the doubt and moved on as best Icould. It should be noted that I had established a very healthyand professional rapport with the other members of the team. Actually,I sincerely feel that my positive rapport with the team was aconsiderable bone of contention for my employer.
After a few months and many unnecessary, slanderous, personalattacks on myself and other employees, I made it clear that Iwould not tolerate myself, or the other employees being treatedlike slaves or animals (as was often the case). There are severaljustified and documented cases against this man at the labouroffice and the general public is aware what kind of a man he is,yet he is still in business and still getting away with his abominablebehaviour. the madness must stop!
In the latter part of 1999 after almost 1 year of torment &torture, I inadvertently discovered that our pensions monies hadnever been forwarded to the administrator yet the monies had beendeducted (religiously) from our pay. After confronting my employerabout this and requesting an explanation, I was essentially metwith fire & brimstone and again told to watch it or I wouldbe fired. Some weeks passed and I again questioned my employerabout pension monies at which time I was told that he was sickof me and of me being in his face and causing him trouble. I nevercaused him any trouble, he brought it all on himself as he chosenot to operate in a humane, professional and respectful manner.the day he "let me go" he told me that he would makesure that I never worked in this country again. Now, knowing howsmall and clicky this community is, I took heed of his warningthus I did not at that time lodge a complaint of wrongful dismissalwith the labour office. Several months later on in August 2000,I started work and it was only at that point that I felt safeto lodge my complaint, which I did, on August 10, in great detailwith bona fide evidence to back up my complaint. I was told bythe labour office that I should have lodged my complaint within90 days of termination in order for them to investigate the matter.I ask you, how could I do that when I was told in no uncertainterms that I would not get a work permit if I shared any informationor caused any waves for him? A week or so later, I then wroteto Dr. Frank McField of NACE, I still have not heard from him.
Then on September 11 I wrote to the Executive Council and I receiveda response from the then acting Governor, Mr. James ryan, citingthat he or the council were unable to assist and that I shouldengage the services of a Lawyer.
Now, October 4, 2000 I am writing to you asking for your assistance.I know that I have a very strong case for wrongful dismissal andI wonder if there is an honorable, genuine and reputable communityoriented lawyer out there that would be interested in meetingwith me to discuss my situation, on a pro-bono basis.
My drive is principle based more than any financial gain althoughto be compensated for the hell that I had to endure would be welcomed.My ex-employer and others like him, and they are out there, shouldbe cited and made examples of, particularly in these times wheremore and more locals are entering the work force and looking fora safe, professional, progressive and enjoyable workplace in whichto fulfill their career goals and dreams.
I thank you in advance for your time and appreciate anything atall that you may be able to do for me, and in the long run theworkers of the Cayman Islands.
Ron Nelson