Email trail ... How the SMA chairman tried to breach employment policy
Published:Friday | July 27, 2018 | 12:00 AM
The 2016 email trail between Trevor Forrest, the chairman of the Spectrum Management Authority and Dr David McBean, the managing director, has been triggering intense public debate.
In the email, Forrest sought to insert Carolyn Warren among shortlisted candidates for the post of manager, administration after the application process had closed.
READ: McBean defends decision to shut out Warren at spectrum agency
Warren this week resigned as managing director of the National Energy Solutions Limited saying she was seeking to put an end to a very painful situation.
She has been facing intense scrutiny since reports emerged two weeks ago that she had a drug conviction more than 23 years ago which she never declared when she was getting the job at NESoL.
IN PHOTO: Dr David McBean
Here is the email trail among McBean; Forrest; Ida-Gaye Warburton, director of legal affairs; Dr Andrew Wheatley, Minister of Ministry of Science Technology Energy Minister, and his permanent secretary Hillary Alexander:
From: Trevor Forrest Mon, 29 Aug 2016
To: Ida-Gaye Warburton and David McBean
Subject: RESUME - Admin Manager Candidate
MD, Ms Warburton
Good morning,
Find attached a resume submission for the post of Manager, Administration advertised on August 07, 2016.
Please see that this resume is added to your shortlisted candidates for interview and consideration.
If there are any questions let me know.
Regards
(Attachments:
1. Application letter
2. Resume)
Warren's 2016 letter
Mr. Trevor Forrest
Chairman of the Board
Spectrum Management Authority
Harbour Street, Kingston
Dear Mr. Forrest,
I refer to your advertisement in the Sunday Gleaner of August 07, 2016 for the position of Manager, Administration.
I consider myself a suitable candidate for this position and now formally apply to join the team of the Spectrum Management Authority.
My competencies include:
*Trained in Business Administration, Journalism and production
*Experienced in Receivables and Collection Management
*Trained Journalist
*Experienced in sales and Marketing
*Experienced in Television Production
*Effective Communicator
*Strong Analytical Ability
*Strong writing ability
*Ability to garner and develop long-term Business Relationships
*Strong motivator
*Ability to assess organisational needs and implement strategies
I am available for an interview at your convenience.
Regards,
……………………….
Carolyn Warren
Warren's Resume as submitted along with her application
Carolyn waRREN
(Email address deleted)
(Telephone numbers deleted)
EXPERIENCE
March 2002-Present Nationwide News Network Ltd 6 Bradley Avenue, Kingston
Sales and Receivables Manager
February 1992 – June 2001 Exclusive Commodity Ltd. 96 Constant Spring Road
Managing Director
April 1989-May 1992 Radio Jamaica Limited 32 Lyndhurst Road, Kgn 5
Journalist
June 1983-March 1988 Jamaica Citizens Bank Ltd. Kingston, Jamaica
Teller
June 1980-February 1983 The Bank Of Nova Scotia Ltd. Kingston, Jamaica
Teller
EDUCATION
August 1997-May 2000 Northern Caribbean University Mandeville, Jamaica
BSc Business Administration (Management)
May 1978-August 1980 Northern Caribbean University Mandeville, Jamaica
ASc Business Administration
September 1977-May 1978 Browns Town Community College Browns Town St. Ann
A’Level
September 1972-June 1977 St. Hilda’s Diocesan High School Browns Town St. Ann
CXC/GCEO’ Levels
Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
More than 20 years’ experience in Sales and Collections
More than 15 years in management
Experience in journalist
Human Resource management and administrative Experience
From: Dawn Staple Mon, 29 Aug 2016
To: David McBean
The following is the status of the vacant post, Manager, Administration:
1. The post was advertised in the Sunday Gleaner and Observer of July 31 and August 7 with the close of application date being August 19, 2016.
2. At end of day, Friday, August 19, fifty-eight (58) applications were received.
3. On August 23, 2016, ten (10) applications, which could be considered to fill the post, were printed and given to Patrick (as Supervisor of the post).
4. The short list of five (5) applicants to be interviewed should be received today, August 29.
5. Interviews will be scheduled to take place by Tuesday, September 6, 2016.
All efforts will be made to complete the interviews for the subject post as soon as possible.
Regards,
Dawn
From: Trevor Forrest Mon, 29 Aug 2016
To: Ida-Gaye Warburton and David McBean
MD,
Your concerns/reasons are noted however, my request still stands. Please take the necessary steps to execute as requested.
Should you have a difficulty with this request please let me know.
Regards
From: David McBean, 29 Aug 2016
To: Trevor Forrest
Chairman,
I note your request below. I consulted both with internal HR and also with the Ministry, and unfortunately we cannot accommodate Ms. Warren in this round for the following reasons:
1. The closing date for the post has past (this was August 19th), and the application was not made by the normal route
2. A shortlist has already been compiled and is going to a 2nd culling
3. Any addition of a candidate at this stage would be highly irregular and would leave SMA open to a HR audit
We will maintain Ms. Warren’s resume, and should there not be any suitable candidate found, or for any other reason applications for the post are re-opened, then we would be happy to consider her.
Regards,
David McBean
Managing Director
From: David McBean Mon, 29 Aug 2016
To: Hillary Alexander
PS.
Please see response below. Would welcome a conversation with you prior to my reply.
(Email trail of exchanges with Forrest attached)
Regards,
David McBean
From: David McBean Mon, 29 2016
To: Trevor Forrest
Chairman,
I note your request below. I consulted both with internal HR and also with the Ministry, and unfortunately we cannot accommodate Ms. Warren in this round for the following reasons:
1. The closing date for the post has past (this was August 19th), and the application was not made by the normal route
2. A shortlist has already been compiled and is going to a 2nd culling
3. Any addition of a candidate at this stage would be highly irregular and would leave SMA open to a HR audit
We will maintain Ms. Warren’s resume, and should there not be any suitable candidate found, or for any other reason applications for the post are re-opened, then we would be happy to consider her.
Regards,
David McBean
Managing Director
From: Trevor Forrest Tue, 6 Sep 2016
To: David McBean, Ida-Gaye Warburton and Hillary Alexander
Noted MD
As stated in another response please provide published, documented policies and procedures which expressly prevent this request. Until such time as that can be done the request stands.
If you still have reservations I suggest that the appropriate course of action is to temporarily suspend the recruitment process and bring this matter to the board for discussion.
Regards
From: Hillary Alexander Thu, 8 Sep 2016
To: Ida-Gaye Warburton, Trevor Forrest, David McBean and Andrew Wheatley
Dear all:
I trust that this matter may now be laid to rest.
Attachments:
1. SMA’s Recruitment
2. Selection & Staffing Policy
Regards,
Hillary Alexander
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology
From: David McBean Thu, Sep 8 2016
To: Trevor Forrest, Ida-Gaye Warburton and Hillary Alexander
Dear Chairman,
As per your request please find attached the SMA’s Recruitment, Selection & Staffing Policy, which was approved by the Board of Directors on November 29th, 2012.
I have taken the liberty to highlight the sections on pages 1-3 that I believe are relevant to this matter. I also believe that the Corporate Governance Framework that speaks to the delineation of the roles and responsibilities of the Chairman and Board vis-à-vis the role of the Executive in day-to-day operations may be pertinent to this discussion.
I wish to reiterate that the issue is not the referral of a candidate for consideration. It is that the referral came after the process was closed (10 days after) and the shortlisted candidates already identified, and with an instruction to insert the referred person into the interview process. This would bring into question the fairness and transparency of the selection process. I am available to discuss this matter further at your convenience.
Attachments:
1. SMA’s Recruitment
2. Selection & Staffing Policy
Regards
David McBean
From: Trevor Forrest Thu, 8 Sep 2016
To: David McBean, 'Ida-Gaye Warburton, 'Hillary Alexander, Andrew Wheatley
MD,
Thanks for providing this latest documentation. On reading your highlighted sections however, I still cannot find any language which "expressly prevents this request". In my view it is fair to say that the current policy as stated may open itself up to misinterpretation as there is a clear difference of interpretation here.
Accordingly, in keeping with the tenets of the Corporate Governance Framework and the roles and responsibilities of the Board and Chairman, it is clear that a review of this policy is necessary in light of the impasse that has been created.
This will ensure that policy adjustments can be made in keeping with best practices so that no potential ambiguity exists either now or for future recruitment exercises. In your words, we must be pellucidly clear in our understanding and interpretations.
With that said please put all recruitment processes on hold until this matter has been resolved at the board level.
As Chairman I will notify the board members of this latest development with an eye to addressing it at the next board meeting. Additionally I ask that the Corp. Secretary place this issue on the agenda for the upcoming board meeting as its resolution is a matter of urgency.
Regards
We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-449-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.