Consultant To Help Evolve Human Resources
The Government plans to retain an independent consultant to “provide assistance with the creation of an evolved Human Resources model for the Bermuda Government,” Premier Craig Cannonier said today [May 9] in the House of Assembly
The Premier said, “You would be well aware of this Government’s focus on building a more efficient and effective Public Service.
“One of key components of an effective and efficient Public Service is a well functioning Human Resources Department that serves the needs of all of the Public Service.
“Currently, this critical element is dispersed across the Public Service, is not aligned with best practice with regard to structure and mandate, and does not serve the entire Public Service.
“A recent review by Government’s Management Consulting Section confirmed that human resource activities are spread across multiple Departments, without an overarching framework to govern their efforts. Further, there is no clear human resource strategy or approach for managing all of employees.
“Currently, the Department of Human Resources mainly provides transactional services for employees represented by the Bermuda Public Services Union [BPSU], whose members account for approximately 41% of the workforce. Therefore, a majority of our employees are not served by a centralized HR function.
“Our model is consequently inefficient, ineffective and confusing, leading to inequality and frustration for the Government and employees alike.”
The Premier’s full statement follows below:
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform this Honourable House of plans to retain an independent consultant to provide assistance with the creation of an evolved Human Resources model for the Bermuda Government.
“Mr. Speaker, you would be well aware of this Government’s focus on building a more efficient and effective Public Service. One of key components of an effective and efficient Public Service is a well functioning Human Resources Department that serves the needs of all of the Public Service.
“Currently, this critical element is dispersed across the Public Service, is not aligned with best practice with regard to structure and mandate, and does not serve the entire Public Service.
“You would also be aware, Mr. Speaker, of our plans to establish a legal authority to enable reforms to Government Departments, QUANGOs, Government Funds, Boards, and Committees. In order to implement such decisions, it is imperative that the Public Service has a Human Resources function that is structured and equipped to do so.
“A recent review by Government’s Management Consulting Section confirmed that human resource activities are spread across multiple Departments, without an overarching framework to govern their efforts. Further, there is no clear human resource strategy or approach for managing all of employees.
“Currently, the Department of Human Resources mainly provides transactional services for employees represented by the Bermuda Public Services Union [BPSU], whose members account for approximately 41% of the workforce. Therefore, a majority of our employees are not served by a centralized HR function.
Our model is consequently inefficient, ineffective and confusing, leading to inequality and frustration for the Government and employees alike.“Mr. Speaker, such a structure cannot support Public Service reform.
“The Chartered Institute of Professional Development has outlined one of the most widely used HR models across the world. This model forms the basis of HR units in the UK Civil Service, and many other public bodies. It is also the most commonly used model by the FTSE 100 companies. This model will enable us to establish a structure that can better serve all of Government.
“Mr. Speaker, we anticipate that under this model the Government’s HR Department will evolve to include the management of compensation and benefits afforded to Government Employees, and the organizational review and design functions. Both of these units now sit elsewhere within Government.
“As a result, it would not be appropriate for our Management Consulting Section to undertake this review, as they will be a subject of the review and re-organization. Therefore, an independent consultant will be engaged.
“Mr. Speaker, this reorganization is an important component of our efforts to reform the Public Service. Not only will it better enable us to manage our most important resource, our employees, but will also position us to implement the changes that are to come, leading to a more efficient and effective Public Service.
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
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“The Government plans to retain an independent consultant ….”
better NOT be another ex pat or person from the USA,there are Qualified Bermudians that can do this.
…and here we go. How sadly predictable
Yeah, like folks at the PTB who were “qualified” to produce a schedule for bus driver ……. but more than EIGHT YEARS later, still no schedule.
They produced dozens of schedules that would have saved the country a fortune.
Each one was rejected by the Union.
Friends and Family
Who? Not saying you are wrong but if you are going to make a statement like that, you obviously know lots of people and shouldn’t. Or did your info come from anonymous sources too.
Before people fly off the handle let’s remember why consultants are good.
Consultants let an organisation temporarily bring in a person with expertise to make a change or assist with a project.
This is very different from the old way of hiring “consultants” to create permanent non-unionised Civil Servant positions the way the former government idid.
If it wasn’t for Eugene Blakney as head of the BPSU at the time the former UBP government you talk about would have continued to bring in nonunion consultants and given them the right to vote after three years and status after five . But we straightened that crap out . I tell you I know more about how government works then any inept guitar strummer ever will .
Fine. We all know past hiring and recruiting in Government has been poorly executed, at best. BUT….was there a request for proposal for this role put out in the community? I agree that it is NOT a role we should be hiring someone from outside our Bermuda to fill. Was the Bermuda Human Resources Association asked for input? Let’s hope this was done in a transparent, and fair, manner.
Consultant for this Consultant for that!!! Why do we have politicians??? May as well get rid of them all and just hire Consultants!!! Is this one of the things the OBA hit hard on PLP for doing? Not to get into the PLP/OBA confusion but to me its the pot calling the kettle black. We vote ppl in position to handle our affairs and everytime you look they need advice or assistance from CONSULTANTS!!!!
So the minister should work in HR now????
Let’s see how much this consultant will cost.
Better, let’s see how much the consultant saves by chopping out the fat.
You will never find out unless the information is leaked.
“Currently, this critical element is dispersed across the Public Service…”
Not sure I understand. When once I worked for government (not too long ago) I remember a department of Human Resources; it was in one location and was the go-to for all things relating to human resources. Now HR is dispersed across the Public Service? When did this happen?
Under the PLP perhaps
Can you give a precise date? If I remember correctly, working as a civil servant for a few years under the UBP and then under the PLP, the department of human resources was never diversified.
Sorry the correct word is not ‘diversified’ but ‘dispersed’. I remember going to one department for all things relating to human resources.
Makes me laugh the way everyone jumps at the word “consultant’, yet no-one seems to care less that there is a HR Department which is useless, but has more than 30 staff getting paid good money to send out emails about Excel training courses.
How much is that costing Bermuda when compared against the cost of a consultant?
First of all the HR Dept has less then 30 people… and they are not the ones responsible for sending out emails for courses they don’t facilitate…. Don’t be a *hit stirrer
Nooooooooooo….. lets just keep borrowing $$$$$$ until the IMF take over. who cares if the IMF controls are not in our best interest
@ steve Biko, the PLP / BIU are not in power anymore, no more friends and family!!!
Pournelle’s Iron Law of Bureaucracy in action.