80% of whistleblowers sacked
(CNS): Civil servants have told the Office of the Complaints Commissioner (OCC) that they are extremely reluctant to report wrongdoing in government due to significant fears of reprisals against them and their families and believe that no one is ever punished or held accountable, even when reports are made about wrongdoing. Complains Commissioner Nicola Williams found in a new report released Thursday that even though public sector workers recounted numerous instances of intimidation, victimization and reprisals against whistleblowers, chief officers claimed to be unaware of such issues. In the cases used for the report 80% of whistleblowers in the Cayman Islands Government lost their jobs while the other 20% were transferred, demoted or overlooked for promotion.
Williams said in her Own Motion Investigation, entitled “Let the whistle blow", that having no policies or law to protect whistleblowers in government undermines their ability to comply with the Public Service Management Law and fuels public sector corruption.
Having investigated what protective measures were in place for whistleblowers or people who report wrongdoing that they have witnessed in the work place, especially by their superiors or politicians, Williams said there was no adequate protection and has made a number of recommendations in her report.
Calling for stand-alone legislation and government policy, a positive duty to report, encouragement of civil servants to report, accountability when wrongdoers are exposed, confidentiality assurances and a hot line, the commissioner said government should begin an education campaign and even consider appointing a minister for public service and integrity.
Williams said she and her team examined existing legislation, policies and the work culture and the tolerance of wrongdoing in the first place, as well as what has happened to those who have blown the whistle.
During the investigation into the report the OCC found that most of the whistleblowing that people had reported related to financial irregularities. However, all of the civil servants interviewed for the report who said they had blown the whistle said they found themselves penalized, while those who were responsible for the wrongdoing remained in the jobs continuing the same practices unchecked. With whistleblowers exposed and the wrongdoers left in post, these government employees who did the right thing have also suffered victimization.
Williams found that Cayman’s small society was one of the problems that prevented people from whistleblowing, as there seemed to be numerous ways that those who report wrongdoing can be victimized outside of work as well as in and that their future prospects of work if they leave government were also at risk.
Concerns that whistleblowers, not the wrongdoers, are being punished fuels corruption. With no policies or systems in place for reporters, Williams found civil servants asking simply, “What happens to me?”if they reveal what they know.
Despite recommendations made almost six years ago following the report into documents leaked by former permanent secretary Charles Clifford, there is still little or no protection for whistleblowers in the Cayman Islands government. Many believe making a complaint about a colleague, boss or politician is simply career suicide.
The absence of a safe comprehensive system underpinned by legislation that is enforced does not just impact employees of government but the wider community, Williams said in her report, which lays out detailed recommendations and the need for stand-alone legislation to deal with this issue as part of the overall goal to improve good governance in general.
See full report below.
Category: Politics
In Government the best thing to do is shut your mouth, stay under the radar and RUB TIME as we call it. Then you will survive and keep your job and get your benefits and pension.
All human beings are tribal. It is in our DNA.
We learn this very quickly at a young age. For example, when we first go to school we learn that there is a teacher tribe and a pupil tribe. Being a "tattle tale" is disloyal to the pupil tribe; therefore, the tribal punishment can be severe, i.e. bullying.
Tribalism is not just about Caymanians and expats; it is part of the human condition all around the world at all economic and cultural levels.
The moral of the story? Tattle Tales will always be persecuted. It is part of the human DNA.
Deluding yourself with a gross simplification is also human nature.
Research has shown that bullying is learned, more often from those in power. So if the Deans at your college are running the rumour mill 24/7 to ostracize you, you can count on several faculty to follow thier sugar daddies.
Thier leadership is corrupt and we should kick them out of the gene pool.
Notice how the Civil Service Assn is Not mentioned in these fiascos? They are as culpable and useless. That’s why no one can depend on them looking out for workers! Fish rots from the head!
If you try to reform a sociopath through psychoanalysis they only use what they have learned to sharpen their corrupt practices.
Look at the upcoming conference on corruption at UCCI, XXXX. Do you think any of the civil service elite attending are going to take to heart what they hear at the conference, or are they just going to use that conference to cover their big fat rumps. I would pay good money to hear testimonies and particular stories of evidence from people who have to deal with the corruption and incompetence on a daily basis from the civil service management. I wont pay a second of my time to hear management lecture the people on corruption as if management is not at the root of the problem.
Anybody for setting up a conference to invite REAL stories of corruption? It won't cost that much since we won't have to fly in and house at expensive hotels "experts" that cost UCCI money that could be spent on modernizing the UCCI campus or improving the spirits of the abused faculty.
I worked in the Civil Service for over 10 years and experienced the same situation. My supervisor came to me and warned me that his understudy had made comments about my position and the necessity for them to put a younger person in my place. He fought it until he got tired of it and when he resigned, he advised me that I should watch out, because I was next on the hitlist. So said, so done. My replacement was employed from another Government department and I had to train her. After the new Director thought she was trained enough (by me), my application for a new contract was then refused. After I was given notice of my impending termination, the new Director terminated me, even though the other person was not experienced in filling my position. I could not go to the Ministry, as the chief there was closely related, so I was forced to retire with a very small pension. It makes me so sad to see that the same thing is happenning for so many Caymanians and it seems there is never anyone to help the poor people who are railroaded by the very corrupt system.
HOW TRUE!!!!
I have attended UCCI for many years and it obviously is suffering much abuse and neglect.
It is not only government that this happens, big business is not exempt. The good old boy syndrome and drunk buddy is more important than honesty, further many believe that if they punish some, that more beans will be spilled. So' get that tattle tale and lets continue our business of sticking it to the business.
This has got to be the worse report I have even read…do we really believe what is written here- where are the facts? Who are these ex civil servants that were fired and demoted? How was this verified? Did she take the persons words for it?? How was this proven. Unfortunately another Government agency who has no work and is trying to justify their expense to the people. Lets shut this agengy down.
Oh if you dont believe me -ask how many complaints they deal with per year?
I agree- Ms Williams this is really poor work- we expected better! not one conclusion support by facts – shameful!
Where is the proof that anyone was sacked for whistle blowing? Did the civil service get a chance to confirm such reports? Is leaking information to the press or to politicians the way to blow the whistle? I would not expect to be trusted to hold sensitive information of national importance if I was known to "leak" information. I hope that proper guidelines or laws will be put in place.
They broke the code of silence! Every member of the Ma…err CS must adhere to it. Capeche? We are a family.
This is not limited to the civil service. Some of the big private sector firms have notorious bullies and anyone who objects to the bullying finds themselves being squeezed out of their career.
This is very popular in the civil service. You question them and you are squeezed out.
Maybe PR test should include a question about this under "Cayman Culture"
You mean instead of "Which Caymanian entered an international under 11's school painting competition in 1958?"
Shooting the messanger is nothing new. It happens all over the world.
Yup, the "shooting the messenger" syndrome is one of the reasons (amongst many others) that the ruling class is often "out of touch" with reality.
No one every wants to be the bearer of bad or uncomfortable news for fear of being shot.
Ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern how it feels.
Bananna Republic,….The Pirates of The Caribbean are well, and alive in Cayman.
It's a cultural thing………..and we must honor and preserve our culture.
What a pile of crock! Ever heard of the term "mobbing" at a workplace which is wide spread in the USA and Europe? Basically the same thing – you open your mouth and you get squeezed so to suggest that this is a "cultural" thing is the biggest pile of shit I have ever read!
From whence did those pirates and blaggards originate? Pray tell
There is a Banana Republic in Cayman? Now why did I have to fly to Miami then for my shopping.
Due to random, senseless, changes in the law, whistle-blowers and PR applicants must now pick up a yellow star of David at the GAB, between 9 and 5 (save for the 8 hours the staff are on lunch). The star must be displayed prominently on the left sleeve at all times, failure to do so is an offence under Cayman Islands Law, revision 2014. Failure to drop everything in your life, leave your job, and abandon your children, and jump through asinine, and possibly flaming, hoops will result in fines of 100 times your salary, one kidney, and termination of your employment rights.
Folks it is not just in the civil service. It's all over in cayman. That's why expats look out for expats and caymanians in top positions look out for expats!
This is so sad but true…
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Civil Service overwhelmingly Caymanian? Guess we can't blame this one on the expats!
Umm . it's not local anymore.
Not exen if you count the status holders as 'Caymanians"
actually the ratio is 80% Caymaninan, 20% expat in the CS
Check the stats. 74percent of those ‘Caymanians’ are paper holders, who all fly ‘home’ on any conference they can arrange.. Not to mention at Christmas and on retirement.
Howwww convenient for them!
21:04, you should be locked up for MASSIVE telling of lies. That 74% figure you give is pure unadulterated garbage and I have to believe you know it. Stop your disgraceful dishonest hate-mongering. I challenge you to ask Gloria McField Nixon of the portfolio of the civil service to give you the real figures about what you nastily refer to as "paper holders", you ignorant troll.
Yes the CS is overwhelminly caymanians! that is where the problem lies, they hate their own, they do everything in their power to destroy their own people. That is why most caymanian businesses suffer.
It can be blamed on both! And thats fact!
No one likes an informant, my dear.
Let us not forget what happened to Brian Tomlinson.
http://centos6-httpd22-php56-mysql55.installer.magneticone.com/o_belozerov/31115drupal622/politics/2012/07/09/government-road-boss-fired
Or Dan Dugay
Always be aware of statistics and percentages….the actual number of people would have been a better choice.
A percentage could be 50% of 2 people in a room, in this case 1 person. Add in one or two more, and you can work in 20%.
Don't think its any different in the Private Sector. Too much injustice all around. Everyone chasing the Almighty Dollar, as if they will take it all with them. Its shameful!! Too many greedy people around, any wonder this Country is broke.
The same thing happens in the private sector.
No surprises here – look what happened to Dan Duguay.
Unfortunately, as I have found while digging the dirt on Tempura there are just too many people in positions of power who not only don't recognise the concept of truth but will also do just about everything they can to make sure their questionable version of events is never contradicted.
This isn't just CIG, it goes all the way to the Governor's office.
John Evans, I am happy that you are bold enough to speak the truth. It does go all the way to the top. I have evidence of it.
Amen John Evans, amen. You hit the nail right on the head sir.
John I have to agree with you. This is the reason nothing can be done about all this corruption going on. Its like putting the fox to watch the hen house.
What a crying shame! and we the poor are the only ones losing out on all this corruption.
"No good deed shall go unpunished".
The whole culture stinks and until that changes we are stuck with corrupt inefficient government and CS. It can change, I have seen countries where it has..it takes a politician or two who really want to serve their people, not themselves, a will of Iron, a strong police and judiciary system with people who want to serve the wider interest, again not their own. It is possible!
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson this has happened under your regime sadly it is too commonplace and has been happening for too long. We demand better from the Head of the Civil Service because the buck stops with you.
This was going on when Franz was still CIO so please don't heap all the blame on him. Mind you Immigration was, and still is, the worst offender in this area.
If this report was credible I would think the Deputy Governor would take it seriously – but its rubbish! No facts no evidence!
You are demanding better from him 13:49? That is almost laughable.
Have you ever wonder why certain CS can own $800,000,00 homes, especially those working in the Immigration department.
I can't wait until they have to adhered to publically publishing their assets.
Corruption! corruption!
Da wa yuh get, fer squealing.
When one sees a distinguished QC and now Judge, Mr Andrew Jones, referred to as Peter Jones, one loses a bit of faith in the accuracy of some parts of this report.
Believe it there is no reward for doing the right thing in Cayman except persecution due to a lack of accountability at all levels of the Civil Service and SAG's. Look athow people are promoted and rewarded especially senior officials. It is all about who you know and protecting friends who follow like sheep. Civil servants are just as corrupt as elected government. Cheif Officers are the worse culprits but they protect each other at all costs. Do not rock the boat and collect your full pension is the name of the game.
Most Civil Servants are more corrupted than the Elected government. Remember they are employed in their position, almost all their serving life. They run things and let the politicians look bad most of the time.
This is why the senior officials can do exactly as has been reported. Those who have the conscience and gall to stand up can be steamrolled because the public fails to stand behind them. They are bullied into submission and are likely to be vilified by their country men for their lack of employment.
Some people here should be deaf, dumb, and blind the way they can be overcome by such ignorace. Not everything is so black and white. You cannot tar every person with the same brush for the fault of a few. Certainly these whistleblowers intended to serve their country, not be complicit in outright corruption! Those of you who sit there and judge- how many of you would be so brave as to jeopordize your job and family? Or be potentially be shut out by future employers simply because you have a heart? Or threatened by supporters of these corrupt persons? I am not a civil servant, however I can empathise with these people. If I was privy to such knowledge, I would certainly step forward, but I can say that as someone who lives a rather privileged life. We can all look on with scorn from our ivory towers.
We as a country rely significantly on the government and the business community who weild a great amount of control over our lives and wellbeing. Don't like it? Then go out there and ACT to effect change. Poor students can be tutored. A hungry soul can be aided by a generous hand. It's little things like these that lessen the reliance on these corrupt and deprived individuals. No it is not a total solution, but it is definitely more of a start than sitting on your ass and being a spiteful keyboard warrior.
Believe me when I say that the corruption does not stop at Chief Officers level. It goes higher than that. And if you ever disagree or question some of them you can start clearing your desk because they will get you. I still have several years to work but I can guarantee you that I am going to stop at nothing through the courts for justice if any of them attempt to fire me. If I must say, the Public Service has gone to the dogs since people like Jimmy Ryan and George McCarthy retired. This is the worst state the Public Service has ever been in.
You are absolutely right 1:28. The corruption goes much higher than Chief Officers. I can assure you though that by well practiced deceit and craftiness you are unlikely to get the opportunity to sue them through the courts. As you continue your career, be aware that if ever you dare to take a stand against corruption that touches them they will hate you and bring pressure to bear on you through other avenues, making it appear that it is unrelated although you will know that it is. If you get fed up and decide to retire they will give complimentary comments to the press about you but behind the scenes will feed the gossip machine with lies and inuendo in an attempt to destroy your good name; all while grinning in your face and blowing kisses on your cheeks when they encounter you publicly. Sinister? It is the sad reality but in time the evil deeds will all be exposed and rewarded. I am a firm believer in Karma.
That goes without saying, the PS has gone to the dogs.
It's the new younger ones that are in the seats now. The same with elected governments for the last 17 years.
An example!
I remember when the condo king started developing the seven mile beach, he never seeked his own construction company, he hired all caymanian builders.
Then came the Texan who built the west in, who brought in large sub-contractors.
Then came Ryan, who was given his own construction company. and we all know what happened there.
Morritts is now doing his own thing, hiring project managers to build for him.
Now all the local, long term builders are out of a job.
This never happened in Jim Bodeen days. either Mr. Norman,Mr.Benson,Capt Charles, Mr. Peirson, and the older politicians.
We are totally screwed by these new leaders. greed…power!
I am sick of hearing about MR. Jim and how wonderful he was He was a Crook and a destroyer of things when he didnt get his way
The test question should be how many times is it legal to sell the same lot
Well isn't that telling: they put statues up of crooks and make them national heroes in this country!
Ryan+McCarthy? Ha!!!!!
You better ask somebony
If the rumors are true, I heard that the DG just placed a long standing hard working and respected employee from his office on Required Leave. I also heard that they are pushing out a very senior civil servant by giving her two weeks to leave. I gather she was one of the few who refused to be bullied by the top ones.
Well, I always suspected but I recently witnessed myself that the ones who are running this country are not actually our elected members………it is the senior civil servants, chief officers and other government department heads. I have seen for myself how they totally ignore some of the directions given by the minister responsible for the respective dept and therefore pretty much do what they want and ignore what they don't want to deal with. As such, I am not all surprised by what I am reading here.
I had hoped that the PPM and Independents would have the balls to sack or demote some of those high paid civil servants who have become waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy to comfortable and have forgotten that they actually have someone to report and answer to.
It really only needs for a couple of those high flying civil servants to be chopped and everyone else below will learn quickly to toe the line again.
I must say, I am completely disappointed to see how little control the current ministers have over the various Government depts and that they too seem to be more concerned with the votes coming next election, rather than concerning themselves with ensuring that this country is run properly and their OWN people are treated fairly and are not subjected to persecution for doing the right thing!
Any minister out there wants to give a statement on this issue?????
When you get rid of the bad practices in the private sector ,then start on the Civil Service.Practices such as hiring an individual simply because they are non Caymanian;lying on job ads to discourage Caymanians from applying;hiring expat lawyers to practice Cayman law in another foreign jurisdiction who have not been admitted to the Cayman Bar.Need I say more? Didn't think so.I think you get the picture.
"Chief Officer claimed to be unaware" HA!!!!! That s the funniest part of it all.
It should have read, "Chief Officer couldn't find his backside with both hands and an instruction manual," but they couldn't spell backside.
I can think of one former Chief Officer in particular who retired a couple of years ago who was notoriously reputed for graft himself. if he didnt like you he felt that only and expat could do the job and constantly undermined the Caymanian senior staff. he played more games than the NBA and his successor is little different
Civil Service senior management should be ashamed by this report. The information provided further illustrates the perils of being a civil servant. Furthermore, regardless of any recommendation made by the OCC or amendment to the labor law, management will never opt to discipline themselves or provide the necessary protection for whistle blowers.
As civil servant myself I can state emphatically, if I were to become a whistle blower and management failed to support me, I would sue government whilst seeking alternative employment.
So long as it goes no where, which it won't, they are happy because it AGAIN sends the message…DON'T CROSS THE BOSS, OR IT'S YOUR JOB THAT GET'S LOST….
Senior management has no shame. You would sue government? Good luck on that one! Seek alternative empoyment? Sure, but it wouldn't be in the Caymans.
Of course that is the Cayman way, why are there only anonymous posting on blogs it is the mean spirited payback so commonly found here.
Absolutely. Tribal hatreds that last generations are launched that way, so secret postings and secretly ratting out your thieving co-worker is the only way it could work. Cayman needs the equivalent of Crimestoppers so you can call a number in Florida and rat out the thief, then collect a reward in Miami and spend it there so your neighbours don't suspect you've received a reward for doing the right thing, because doing the right thing isn't very popular in Cayman, and the corrupt people at the top of the steamer are very very corrupt.
Posted anonymously from a public computer in a different country where the IP address can't be traced for retribution in Cayman. Cheers!
After reading this story and reading the story in today's Compass about the questions on the PR cultural test and I am filled with despair. It is quite obvious that our government has lost its moral compass. They condone wrongdoing and punish people who try to do what's right. They rig a test so that it's virtually impossible for expats to get questions right, but we don't hold our own children to any real education standards. This kind of thinking by our government can only lead to ruin. What has happened to us?
The Compass story was shocking and it is clear that anyone who missed to because of that test could seek judicial review. It is a problem to set real questions on "national culture" when there isn't any.
To:Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 13/03/2014 – 13:59. People with such condescending and bigoted attitudes as displayed here, are the reason that this test should be difficult. You obviously feel that there is no such thing as culture in the Cayman Is.,so I guess there is no reason for you to attempt to learn anything about it.Furthermore your sense of entitlement tells you that Caymanians should consider themselves blessed to have you come here to work,and because of this they should give you a PR Test with the answer sheet attached. Rubbish.Government and private sector employers need to make it clear to potential expat employees that coming here to work does not mean that they will be entitled to stay here .Are things really that bad back home that you no longer want to go back? Or is life so good in Cayman that it is difficult to leave.I say it is both ,although some of you will never admit it. However ,Cayman is a small island group and therefore unable to accomodate everyone who comeshere to work and does not want to leave.I am certain that if there was a situation where a village of 30,000 in the UK,US,Jamaica or anywhere else in the world was about to be overrun by 30,00 or 40,000 Caymanians ,the locals would demand that their Government take steps to prevent it.So please do not hate us when we do the same .Please, don'tburn your bridges when you are leaving your home country to come here to work;instead prepare yourself while you are here for the time when you have to go back home and you will better off. One more thing,respect the locals and their customs ( even if they are not as sophisticated as you are accustomed to) try to get along,and you will be okay.
You have to study to sit the test to become an American Citizen, so what is wrong with us having a test for want to be Caymanians? They sit it pass it or fail it, that's what a test is all about.
No grumbling here, rumble home.
Really? Trick questions and no study guide? That's not the way they do it in the US and other countries. Make people studay and take a test? Absolutely. Ambush them with ridiculous questions? Please. You're part of the problem.
Could you pass the Cayman Islands test? I was born here and easily passed the US naturalization test but I could only answer one of the questions the Compass published.
You should be ashamed to admit that.
The test should not be easy but I agree that some of the questions are overly concerned with minutae.
I took the American citizenship test on line last night. You can take it too, on the Christian Science Monitor’s website. I answered 94% of the questions correctly. I am an American, and a PR holder. I consider myself to be fairly well read, but have not studied US history in an acedemic setting for more than 25 years. I could get a high score because the questions test basic knowledge, not obscure and irrelevent minutiae. When I took my PR test (several years ago) I scored 90%. Of the 10 questions posted in the Compass I only got 2 correct. The current test is unfair, ridiculous, vindictive, and a poorly veiled, sad statement of our culture of inequality.
Clearly you have a relationship with one of the expats. I commend the Government for doing the right thing with the PR. I would like for it to have been much more difficult to gain permanency in this country. We should not approve a single person who cannot afford to sustain him or herself. Besides, a lot of them are not the kind that I would welcome into our society.
Indeed 1.15, those expats would all need criminal records to fit in to the sadly deteriorating standards here. If they can't steal like CS or CIG does, no point in having them. And it's clear they need to be wage earners so they contribute in various indirect taxes so you can get your handouts for doing nothing . Some seriously screwed up thinking,
This is how the civil service treats everyone! For example if one raises concerns wth something to do with education, rather than address the problem the person who raised the concern is labeled a troublemaker.
The Immigration is known for that, as soon as you leave their office, they are picking up the phone to notify the people you complained about and beware, that you are making trouble for them.
Wow – I could have posted this same thing myself!
Are you talking about the Department of Education? The Department of Education is notorious for sweeping things under the rug…
It is not only the civil service. Many persons have also been fired from or otherwise severely prejudiced in the private sector for properly questioning indications of private sector involvement in illicit activities. For almost every corrupt act there is a private sector element of the transaction. Never forget that. The corrupt civil servant cannot exist without a private sector criminal offering the bribe or benefit.
I agree that the cicvil service has a long way to go when it comes to valuing its employees, but I have to agree that there are some "troublemaker" parents affiliated with some of the public schools, especially some primary schools. In a few cases, the parent is the problem. I am still struggling to figure out why some parents fail to realize the value of team-work in ensuring the success for their children. The answer to that is another editorial. One day the cup will overflow, either way. Lord, continue to extend your grace and mercies towards us, Amen!
When a stone is tossed in to a pig pen the one that squeals is usually the one that got hit. So I guess u got hit.
If you interact with the education department as a parent you will find that the department's idea of "team-work" is:
Parents must never question the actions of any from the department.
When there are bad decisions by the department everyone should pretend that it was really a good idea.
That " the parent is the problem" because they would not ignore bad management.
It is the education management team vs. the parent team. For that reason when a mistake is made rather than admit a simple error it becomes damage control.
The truth about the eduction department is that there are many wonderful teachers who try so very hard with limited resources and low pay. The "team-work" that the education department should have is that the teachers need to be paid more and senior management paid less and/or replaced.
True team-work would be everyone working together
POINT PROVEN!!!
This is exactly what the commentor was referring to. Must be an education department employee.
That is so sad, but I suppose we can't expect anything better when some of the top ones are as green as grass. They have no experience and can hardly read fluently from a script. Yet that is the quality of individuals that are suppose to lead the Public Service. The Public Service is more corrupt than the private sector. It is all about who you know in the public service now a days.
That’s why CIG has to pay private firms BIG bucks to do basic Business Plans+ case studies!
Slacker “top brass”-Caymanians and expats alike.
100+ thumbs up shows how large the problem is. The chief officer of education or any other ministry who allow such actions should themselves be dismissed.
Civil Service is a closed and corrupt shop. I think only a Turks & Caicos type intervention will save us. The posters are right. We have lost all ehtics and have not sight of a moral compass. The independents we elected to sniff out the cronyism immediately (and sadly) became politicians themselves and the lies that are being told blatently to the public are simply shameful. CNS have you fact checked ANY of Tara Riber's claims?