The Minister of Labour is looking to "upgrade the work ethic of Bermudians" after hearing accounts of unacceptable conduct in the workforce.

Last night former Chamber of Commerce President Phil Barnett praised the Minister's efforts, saying it was a major issue for many employers.

Sen. David Burch told a press conference yesterday: "[The Ministry of Labour's] next task is to design a means to upgrade the work ethic of Bermudians — we have been receiving far too many complaints of unacceptable conduct and behaviour in the workplace, so we will attempt to address this problem too."

Expanding on some of the complaints he has heard, Sen. Burch said: "Some don't think it's necessary to go to work every day. Some don't think it's necessary for their boss to tell them what to do.

"One employer wrote me a four-page letter on issues she has had, including one of my perennial complaints about Bermudians, the widespread acceptance of the smoking of marijuana.

"The woman told me an employee was most put out when told lighting up a spliff in her van was not on."

The Minister said he would be speaking more on his plans and the initiative in next week's session of the Senate.

Mr. Barnett, who stepped down as President of the Chamber of Commerce in April, applauded Sen. Burch's move noting that as the President of Island Restaurant Group, poor work standards have been a headache for years.

"Some of my best employees are Bermudian," he said. "But there is a segment of the population that have a sense of entitlement and we need to stop that. In this economic climate where companies are struggling to keep their head above water we cannot have employees that are not willing to work.

"It is a major issue in Bermuda and I think Col. Burch is doing the right thing, addressing it. There has to be a point where we say 'enough is enough', like social promotion within the schools, we have to say no, we will not hire you unless you are willing to work.

"We need to get back to doing an honest day's work for an honest pay cheque. Bermudians used to be known as hard workers, especially in the hospitality sector.

"There is work in Bermuda if you are willing to work, and you also have to be willing to work at an acceptable level things like turning up on time and realising that if your boss tells you to do something you have to do it."

Mr. Barnett's company, which includes restaurants Pickled Onion, Hog Penny, Barracuda and Latin, hires approximately 80 full-time staff and 110 seasonal or part-time staff.

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