The tip of the iceberg

September 19, 2008

Dear Sir,

In reference to two articles which appeared in The Royal Gazette recently regarding "Workplace bullying: One woman's struggle" and "Parent threatens legal action over bullying", I can truly empathise with those individuals. My advice to them, however, is to:

"Trust in the Lord and he will guide you aright. One who has this trust need fear nothing. He can be at perfect peace and happiness, for he will be guided aright." – Mahavagga 8:15:13

At times, when life brings painful experiences it is hard to trust anyone. It is reassuring to know that when you have trust, you know that you are never alone; even when one doesn't have the support of colleagues or their Union, one should think of the above-mentioned verse.

The Dignity at Work Policy clearly states that victimisation will not be tolerated in the Public Service. Why then, would Senior Managers feel comfortable disregarding this newly implemented policy, especially if the Government of Bermuda has a zero tolerance for unwelcome behaviour which includes inequality, harassment, bullying, victimisation and discrimination in the workplace?

In a separate case, the victim's line managers/supervisors are to be considered the respondents. Owing to this, the victim is expected to report the conduct to the next Senior Manager or the Senior Human Resource Manager. Both of these individuals, however, have previously been named as respondents in another recent matter again involving the victim. So what is the alternative arrangement to ensure there's no bias in the handling of the complaint? I guess the only hope is to trust that the Lord will guide him.

It's amazing that despite this treatment, the victim has weathered the storm and continues to conduct himself in a professional manner, especially since his duties entail him being responsible for overseeing his subordinates and ensuring that the public receive efficient service. The energy he has to use by constantly having to defend his character and watch his back is certainly not conducive to a healthy work environment. This negative behaviour impacts upon one's psychological being, which can lead to loss of productivity, absenteeism and increased sick leave, not to mention a poor work environment.

It has been noted that one of the preventive measures in dealing with victimisation is to support the individual, however, his line managers' manager has already told him that she is just letting her managers manage (i.e. not getting involved). This is a serious matter which should be addressed at the highest level. How can the victim be expected to complain to this very individual when she is of this mindset?

After all, the victim was placed in this particular work environment having no input, whatsoever, in the decision making process. He was told in writing that it was a temporary arrangement and that his outstanding requests for transfer would be considered at a later date. Rather than he being moved, while he was on vacation the experienced staff members under his watch were transferred and he was left with a whole new team. How can the senior managers justify their actions?

This is just the tip of the iceberg… if the public were enlightened about the details of what the victim has been subjected to, they would be enraged because if these senior managers can do it to their own employees, what chance does the public stand in being treated fairly by these individuals who are in a position of trust? In order to protect the victim, I cannot even trust putting my name to this letter.

DISGUSTED

Devonshire

Postal code woes

July 11, 2008

Dear Sir,

Writing to your column once more with the hopes that Government and the public could view my idea, as something that could be given thought to and maybe implemented in the near future. It concerns our postal codes as they stand today. Most countries have a five digit Area Code. This was brought to my attention when I was trying to have a package of documents sent via Fed Ex from Thailand. The documents were delayed because they didn't recognise the Devonshire, Bermuda DV03 code that was used.

This also happens when you try ordering online sometimes, when they request your area code and you can't continue until a five-digit code is used. As Bermuda has become so international and linked with so many countries around the world I think this should be put in place or with something similar.

Example:

1. Sandys 11019

2. Southampton 22029

3. Warwick 33039

4. Paget 44049

5. Pembroke 55059

6. Devonshire 66069

7. Smith's 77079

8. Hamilton Parish 88089

9. St. George's/St. David's 99099

Try to use some sort of description for the numbers.

1 for the first parish and add 1 towards 5 digits

0 represents the island a circle, again another 1 and 9 denoting the nine parishes. It may sound simple but it would work.

Or let the government come up with something that would make sending and receiving parcels, mail or documents an easier and maybe shorter process.

GORDY GIBBONS

Paget DV 03

Out of the ashes...

September 20, 2008

Dear Sir

There is no real political Opposition in Bermuda these days. There is no leadership either to be seen, or seen coming over the horizon, at least in respect of any Opposition to the current regime. The regime of Ewart and his cronies basically has it all to themselves to do whatever they want. I can feel them smirking at those words...

The truly sad thing is that many of us can see the things that are falling apart here and it amazes me that so many others either cannot see what's going on or seemingly could care less. I suspect that most people in Bermuda really do care and perhaps even wish they could do something about it but protests, objections, public displays of concern seem to get nobody anywhere and apathy and a sense of fatalism have taken over this island. It seems that we all, black and white, young and old, have taken the view that even though we know what's going on, there just doesn't seem to be any point in arguing... so let's just make sure we don't get too hurt personally.

The real hope for Bermuda is about to start appearing on the horizon. The death of the United Bermuda Party will allow that hope to emerge. The fracture in the UBP is undoubtedly not fixable and, in fact, there seem to be many who could care less whether it is. A new Party, bringing the best of the old UBP and acknowledging the shortfalls and the unfair practices of it's past; with new faces and a modern philosophy, will rise soon. Hopefully, it will be led by the younger generations who are the future of this country... black and white, young and old, but, most importantly, with all of Bermuda as their priority — not just a few who want to get rich any way they can.

I hate what I see going on. I know that lots of people hate what they see but cannot prove. You and I know who is getting rich and why and even how. And the justification is a combination of "It's our turn" and "The UBP did it for years". I hate to repeat this but I once spoke to a leading politician from days of yore and he said that the UBP — read: the white power-brokers — almost always did what was good and in the best interests of Bermuda — but they did it in such a way that THEY benefited most. Now you might suggest that I'm splitting hairs, and maybe I am, but there is a major difference today. The PLP regime does what is best for certain people and, if Bermuda happens to benefit, well, that's just the luck of the draw.

Most people do not understand the economics of Bermuda, especially when it comes from Grant Gibbons, Bob Richard's and Bob Stewart. Most people close their eyes and their ears when John Barritt and any other white person tries to explain what is happening up there on the Hill. Most people seem to simply accept that their children in public schools and at the College will get a substandard education while the test results and grades and college acceptances of private school kids (black and white, folks) continue to soar.

Most people hate the fact that crime is out of control and the Police Force and the PLP regime is incapable of dealing with the situation even though to the rest of us, the solution is staring them in the face. The polarization of the races, and the ethnic groups, in Bermuda is a political strategy and a way of life these days and, yet, we talk about Big Conversations and racial harmonisation as if it's really an achievable thing when everybody knows it's the primary political tool and the virtual reason for the success of the PLP.

When I look out my window, Bermuda is still a lovely place. When I meet virtually any Bermudian or non, I invariably feel that I can speak freely and enjoy their company. When I go about my work and live my life, I generally feel pretty good. But when I see what the politicians are doing and when I see how black kids are not getting a decent education and when I see the parade of blacks into the courtrooms on drug charges, attacks on other people, charges of stealing, cheating and defrauding others, I feel very sad for them because all I hear is that "It must be someone else's fault... '. When I see the acceptance of fellow Bermudians of things that are very wrong; things that most of them said were wrongs of the past but are seemingly an accepted part of life these days... I feel nothing but sadness. Sincerely

ANONYMOUS

City of Hamilton

World's best open air toilet

September 20, 2008

Dear Sir

I need to make an apology of sorts to Mayor Suthy (Mayor of Hamilton Sutherland Madeiros). Like my man Marvin Gaye, "I, too, heard it through the grapevine...".

The other week, I took the Mayor to task about the bums and vagrants smelling up Albuoy's Point but it was pointed out to me recently that the Mayor has not only been trying to get the Police SERVICE to do their job for years but, so far, hasn't been able to get the Commish to lift his gluteus max. In other words, it ain't the Mayors job to go down and clean the bums out, that's what we have (and PAY) a Police SERVICE for.

Hey, Mr. Gozney (Governor Sir Richard Gozney), since Burchie (Sen. David Burch) keeps saying that you are in charge here... you think maybe you could ask Georgie (Police Commissioner George Jackson) to do his job?

If you want to see what I'm talking about, go down to Albuoy's Point in the morning when the tourists are waiting to get picked up for their boat rides. Mr. G, if you can't get Georgie to do anything... maybe you could ask someone to open up the Men's Room down there – at the moment the Worlds Best Open Air Bathroom is the front edge of Albuoy's Point, Bermuda.

POLS

Southampton