More melee at JFL Hospital in STX

so you are saying that there isn't a different culture here, that work ethics are on-par with all other places ... )

The point being questioned was about the assertion that a college degree assures that a candidate is able to start and finish something while that assurance can't be similarly made about someone who doesn't have a degree.

If they manage to complete a degree, it's another indicator that they've already proven they were able to finish something they started. It does not assure that those who don't complete college can't follow through, and I didn't get that implication from the post. When you're filtering through a few hundred resumes, and you can't interview all the applicants, the resume with the degree has the edge, all other things considered. You can't interview them all.

My organization has an HR algorithm that sorts candidates into three categories even before you, as a hiring manager, can see their applications and resumes - essentially best, good and ok. One of the easiest measures is whether a candidate has a bachelor's or master's degree (more points for a master's). Then it adds up a candidate's years of paid experience. This algorithm won't count volunteer work or unpaid internships as job experience. Resumes from candidates who do gig work - and list numerous short-term jobs don't do well with this particular algorithm.

You are permitted to interview candidates screened into any of the three categories but you usually stick with the best candidates.

We require official transcripts from accredited higher education institutions to prove degrees.

"Teaching your grandmother how to suck eggs" comes to mind. The algorithms used by your employers aren't in the least bit unusual in corporate America. The question is, as common as they are, do they successfully sort the proverbial wheat from the chaff and are they a good model? Many disagree but as entrenched as corporate America has become in the ubiquitous HR Charlie Foxtrot. the roots are deep.

"Teaching your grandmother how to suck eggs" comes to mind. The algorithms used by your employers aren't in the least bit unusual in corporate America. The question is, as common as they are, do they successfully sort the proverbial wheat from the chaff and are they a good model? Many disagree but as entrenched as corporate America has become in the ubiquitous HR Charlie Foxtrot. the roots are deep.

Didn't say I liked this - so impersonal and slow.

But with thousands of employees, hundreds of job openings and federal mandates, it would be difficult to screen candidates otherwise.

Hiring practices and the value of a formal degree may be interesting side topics, but my concern lies more with what is going on at the hospital. How about we get back on topic.

Okolo has been given his marching papers, yet by all accounts he was doing a hands-on job of getting the hospital into better shape. One hypothetical scenario is that in his desire to eliminate waste (in all forms, including holding staff to a higher working standard), it has caused him to upset some folks who have strong political connections.

It's quite disheartening to hear from those on the ground that Okolo was making a real difference, and yet now has been given the boot.

And what is all this about the CFO resigning multiple times? How come we can't get the real truth out of some of these appointee's. Is the CFO just "spitting the dummy" any time things don't go his way?

Hiring practices and the value of a formal degree may be interesting side topics, but my concern lies more with what is going on at the hospital. How about we get back on topic.

Okolo has been given his marching papers, yet by all accounts he was doing a hands-on job of getting the hospital into better shape. One hypothetical scenario is that in his desire to eliminate waste (in all forms, including holding staff to a higher working standard), it has caused him to upset some folks who have strong political connections.

It's quite disheartening to hear from those on the ground that Okolo was making a real difference, and yet now has been given the boot.

And what is all this about the CFO resigning multiple times? How come we can't get the real truth out of some of these appointee's. Is the CFO just "spitting the dummy" any time things don't go his way?

Though the timeline is unclear, banning reporters and by-laws shenanigans seem to be the JFL Board's response to the fulfilled FOIA request made by the Daily News that outed Okolo for giving himself a raise before his CEO contract was signed. This combined with the phony doctorate did Okolo in - in my opinion.

Okolo had the resume and he did do much to improve JFL -but his compromised personal values became apparent. The JFL Board was caught trying to protect Okolo and was forced into taking corrective action as a result of the FOIA request. Now the JFL Board is all about circling the wagons and blaming the press.

Rightly or wrongly, I think the CFO helped the Board push Okolo out the door. Did you read Lessing's resignation letter and demand for $185,000 in severance not to talk that was published online? It was directed to Okolo. He didn't get paid so he talked.

If the board/hospital would comply with the FOIA request then maybe we would all have a better picture of what is going on.

I didn't see Lessing's letter - does anyone have a link?
(edited) - never mind - found a link...

Looks more like a blackmail letter.
Why is he still there?

people my hubby knows who work at the hospital have nothing but praise for okolo

people my hubby knows who work at the hospital have nothing but praise for okolo

He is an outsider. He didn't run things "the island way".

Since the hospitals are quasi independent gov agencies it is impossible to run them efficiently and get rid of dead wood.
Any action to trim the fat, raise work standards, expect excellence triggers resistance from the executive branch. So here is the paradox: management inherits the army of low productivity and low quality workforce that can not be reformed or laid off. The work force has to be recycled for better job fit but has to be kept within organization. Payroll is 75% of business expenses. The gov answer is getting new management.

With some exceptions Gov employment is a substitute for VI welfare. From my encounters with gov agencies workers most of them have minimal skill set and "No can do" attitude. I am very polite person. I am observant of local customs and rules for interacting w people. The only way I stand out is that I am white and have an accent. I am doing my part to blend in. I always greet and smile first. I am not demanding but I am focused on task I need to accomplish.

One notable thing about West Indians is if they are given a tiny little bit of power they will exploit it to upset the customer. Customer is a nuisance who disrupts their social life at work. Customer needs require putting away cell phone, getting ass off the chair, opening the mouth and thinking how to answer the question or address the problem. This attitude will change only if they deal with someone they know. The same story in BVI. Clearing customs and immigration at BVI can be like "Soup Nazi" episode from Sainfeld.
It is exactly the opposite of customer service values of the mainland. To run successful western style business here requires major shift in attitude, education and work ethics.
That reshuffle of management at the top will not do anything unless the roots of the problem are addressed.

STTsailor-great post

people my hubby knows who work at the hospital have nothing but praise for okolo

He is an outsider. He didn't run things "the island way".

Since the hospitals are quasi independent gov agencies it is impossible to run them efficiently and get rid of dead wood.
Any action to trim the fat, raise work standards, expect excellence triggers resistance from the executive branch. So here is the paradox: management inherits the army of low productivity and low quality workforce that can not be reformed or laid off. The work force has to be recycled for better job fit but has to be kept within organization. Payroll is 75% of business expenses. The gov answer is getting new management.

With some exceptions Gov employment is a substitute for VI welfare. From my encounters with gov agencies workers most of them have minimal skill set and "No can do" attitude. I am very polite person. I am observant of local customs and rules for interacting w people. The only way I stand out is that I am white and have an accent. I am doing my part to blend in. I always greet and smile first. I am not demanding but I am focused on task I need to accomplish.

One notable thing about West Indians is if they are given a tiny little bit of power they will exploit it to upset the customer. Customer is a nuisance who disrupts their social life at work. Customer needs require putting away cell phone, getting ass off the chair, opening the mouth and thinking how to answer the question or address the problem. This attitude will change only if they deal with someone they know. The same story in BVI. Clearing customs and immigration at BVI can be like "Soup Nazi" episode from Sainfeld.
It is exactly the opposite of customer service values of the mainland. To run successful western style business here requires major shift in attitude, education and work ethics.
That reshuffle of management at the top will not do anything unless the roots of the problem are addressed.

Okolo was caught stealing money - giving himself an unauthorized raise is just that.

Could have turned into a similar debacle with dishonest management that Schneider experienced a few years back. Thank goodness it didn't - at least from what we know now.

I think the question of concern is why similar actors keep being cast into executive roles at the VI hospitals.

"One notable thing about West Indians is if they are given a tiny little bit of power they will exploit it to upset the customer ..."

The sort of glittering generality which irks me no end.

Okolo was caught stealing money - giving himself an unauthorized raise is just that.

My understanding is that him getting promotion from acting CEO to CEO he got a new compensation package approved by the board. Please correct me if I am wrong.

"One notable thing about West Indians is if they are given a tiny little bit of power they will exploit it to upset the customer ..."

The sort of glittering generality which irks me no end.

I knew it you going to say that. There is just no other way to say that without generalizing. So in a spirit of compromise 50% of bad apples give the other 50% name.

Also, the negative interactions I am referring to are mostly with low lever echelons.. They probably do not know any better as they never been off the island. They can only function with some level of suspicion and hostility towards someone who doesn't look and talk like them. Hey, I am not here to steal your island, job or home.
To the contrary, I am here to inject some money to the island economy. Help me do it. Collect the tolls, levies, taxes and surcharges. Make an effort to do it gracefully and efficiently. Don't collect and give a finger at the same time. It is not nice. Not polite. Not friendly. It is NOT a good business.

Honestly, VI has only three things going for sale. Magnificent ocean, breeze and sunshine. Three unique qualities not so available in US. There is really nothing else here to see, experience that would be unique. There is little in turn of cultural offerings and social interaction.

I start to realize that the daily grind of living here, doing business, putting up with fixing stuff, supervising every contractor, losing a lot of time for garbage trips, post office trips, bank trips detracts from the pleasure of natural beauty of the islands. That slow pace of daily chores is robing me of leisure time. So there goes laid back lifestyle.

I knew it you going to say that. There is just no other way to say that without generalizing. So in a spirit of compromise 50% of bad apples give the other 50% name..

Then you weren't surprised by my reaction and of course there are ways to make your point without singling out "West Indians". I've had crappy service and attitudes in hundreds of different places in many parts of the world over many years but wouldn't dream of singling out a few individuals (50% is a massive exaggeration in my opinion) as being representative of the whole.

As far as the rest of it goes, you made a conscious decision to come and live here. If it becomes too much of a burden then you have a choice to make as the chances of the island changing to suit you isn't likely to happen.

Okolo was caught stealing money - giving himself an unauthorized raise is just that.

My understanding is that him getting promotion from acting CEO to CEO he got a new compensation package approved by the board. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Okolo was promoted by the JFL Board. Okolo's promotion and salary increase required approval by the Territory's hospital oversight Board. The Territory Board did not approve the promotion and salary increase and sent the contract back to the JFL Board to renegotiate with Okolo. This renegotiation never occurred.

So it looks like the board is covering its tracks.
Someone must have given approval for the raise and CFO authorized the payroll check. I presume CEO can't force CFO to authorize it for himself. Not unless he owns the business. So the board must have authorized CFO.

So it looks like the board is covering its tracks.
Someone must have given approval for the raise and CFO authorized the payroll check. I presume CEO can't force CFO to authorize it for himself. Not unless he owns the business. So the board must have authorized CFO.

Okolo took the money knowing it wasn't approved. He's culpable in the least - no matter who authorized his increase.

people my hubby knows who work at the hospital have nothing but praise for okolo

He is an outsider. He didn't run things "the island way".

Since the hospitals are quasi independent gov agencies it is impossible to run them efficiently and get rid of dead wood.
Any action to trim the fat, raise work standards, expect excellence triggers resistance from the executive branch. So here is the paradox: management inherits the army of low productivity and low quality workforce that can not be reformed or laid off. The work force has to be recycled for better job fit but has to be kept within organization. Payroll is 75% of business expenses. The gov answer is getting new management.

With some exceptions Gov employment is a substitute for VI welfare. From my encounters with gov agencies workers most of them have minimal skill set and "No can do" attitude. I am very polite person. I am observant of local customs and rules for interacting w people. The only way I stand out is that I am white and have an accent. I am doing my part to blend in. I always greet and smile first. I am not demanding but I am focused on task I need to accomplish.

One notable thing about West Indians is if they are given a tiny little bit of power they will exploit it to upset the customer. Customer is a nuisance who disrupts their social life at work. Customer needs require putting away cell phone, getting ass off the chair, opening the mouth and thinking how to answer the question or address the problem. This attitude will change only if they deal with someone they know. The same story in BVI. Clearing customs and immigration at BVI can be like "Soup Nazi" episode from Sainfeld.
It is exactly the opposite of customer service values of the mainland. To run successful western style business here requires major shift in attitude, education and work ethics.
That reshuffle of management at the top will not do anything unless the roots of the problem are addressed.

(tu) Hit the nail on the head!!!

CD

Do you know why STTsailor singled out "West Indians"?

Because his/her many experiences with government workers, here, where we all live, was WITH "West Indians".

This is where we live and what we experience.

There is good service and there are good attitudes, yes.

However there are also lots of bad ones, and STTsailor is expressing frustration with such.

Furthermore it is possible to be frustrated and fed up with situations, yet still want to live here. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I knew it you going to say that. There is just no other way to say that without generalizing. So in a spirit of compromise 50% of bad apples give the other 50% name..

Then you weren't surprised by my reaction and of course there are ways to make your point without singling out "West Indians". I've had crappy service and attitudes in hundreds of different places in many parts of the world over many years but wouldn't dream of singling out a few individuals (50% is a massive exaggeration in my opinion) as being representative of the whole.

As far as the rest of it goes, you made a conscious decision to come and live here. If it becomes too much of a burden then you have a choice to make as the chances of the island changing to suit you isn't likely to happen.

Obviously true, and his comments are typical of many newcomers for whom the rose-colored spectacles are slipping a little. I still find such comments unsavory as I likewise find "all followers of Islam are fundamentalist terrorists" or, "them West Virginia mountain folk are all cretins" or any variation thereof.

Ken Mapp has a master's degree from Harvard.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/10/29/harvard-school-state-one/

No, he doesn't. He is a Harvard "graduate," but only of the advanced management program, which grants a certificate. Mapp has no bachelor's degree, so he cannot possibly have a master's degree from Harvard (which requires a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite).

Message Removed

I didn't know there were hospitals left in rural Kansas. Many have been closed leaving a health care desert. Any town big enough to have a hospital is not so rural.

I don't think hospital administrators in small cities in Kansas require salaries of $360K plus living expenses.

Ken Mapp has a master's degree from Harvard.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/10/29/harvard-school-state-one/

No, he doesn't. He is a Harvard "graduate," but only of the advanced management program, which grants a certificate. Mapp has no bachelor's degree, so he cannot possibly have a master's degree from Harvard (which requires a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite).

You are correct about the bachelor's. Harvard still claims him though.