Pink Slips...

In the science of Human Resource Management, there is a concept that calls for the effective dismissal of under performing employees for their good and that of the greater collective.

It is argued within this school of thought that employees are usually promoted until they reach beyond their area of maximum efficiency and optimum performance,  and may need to be either pulled back or dismissed altogether before they cause harm to the organization and their own career.

Based on this concept I was toying with the idea of  thinking of Trinidad & Tobago as a Corporation, and some of its/our employees that could use a tactical firing for the reasons spelled out above.

Remember the objective of this exercise is to maximize latent skill sets in existing opportunities.

Take Dr. Keith Rowley for example.

Here is a man who was thriving as the 'number two' man to the Leader of the PNM and who was doing quite well in the position. Now whether he was motivated by others or was thinking himself qualified for the number one position, he applied, went through a lengthy and vigorous  interview process and was eventually promoted to the number one position.

Safely ensconced in the job, he seems lost and appears to find himself rudderless and without any idea as to which direction he would take were he to discover a rudder among his possessions.

Human Resources in these circumstances postulates that the good Doctor, while an excellent 'number two,' is not qualified to function as a 'number one' or not for any lengthy period at any rate.

It is my firm belief that Dr. Rowley has been promoted beyond his effectiveness and needs to be either demoted or fired for the good of his career, the Party and the country as a whole.

If the Gentlemen would consider a return to the 'number two' position it would be an advantageous move for everyone concerned and a search for a more suitable able 'number one' be launched immediately.

Another candidate for this discussion is Stephen Cadiz

Mr. Cadiz ostensibly has been placed in the wrong department as he was a candidate for any position involved in the reduction of crime, violence and murder.

I would like to propose a lateral reassignment and have Mr. Cadiz appointed Commissioner of Police as he is both white and unqualified for the job, both obvious pre-reqisites for the position.

Anil Roberts

Here is a classic example of the right person in the wrong job, and the organization is suffering badly because of this mis-appointment.

Obviously well suited for the cut and thrust of jobs where sober decorum is neither an advantage nor a requirement, Mr. Roberts looks uncomfortable in his attire and does not seem to possess the required attributes for the position he occupies.

It my my recommendation that he be removed from the Cabinet, from the Parliament, from the Government and possibly from the country for a while.

Perhaps a posting in the Foreign Service may suit his qualifications, and were I to be pressed as to a locale, I would suggest appointing the gentleman as High Commissioner to either Iraq or Afghanistan.

George Nicholas

This gentleman was accidentally placed on an Airline board for which he has no qualifications save for the fact that he may have flown on an airplane a time or two.

Not only was he appointed to the Board, he was appointed its Chairman, which makes me think his appointment must have been a mix up, a typo, or gotten lost in translation.

Allegedly quite wealthy already, the only purpose for him accepting such an appointment in the first place must have been out of pure altruism and civic mindedness, and based on this I would think his service would be better utilized on a charitable board where could truly feel like he was 'giving back' to society.

Louis Lee Sing

Here is a man of action who has been placed in a boring desk job and who is already chafing at the inactivity of the posting.

Demonstrating his eagerness for a more hands on job, he recently went above and beyond the call of his office to start collecting idlers and loiterers with a view to having them relocated.

Obviously mis-appointed, Mr. Lee Sing should be fired as Mayor forthwith and rehired as head dog catcher and given his own truck, clip board and net.

Based on the above examples I am sure that the people of Trinidad & Tobago would prefer much better utilization of its resources  both human and otherwise, and perhaps the post of Human Resource Director should be advertised.

These are all just suggestions mind you, as the optimization exercise really ought to take place above my pay scale. It is hoped that this advice saves many people from the heartache of a lifetime spent in the wrong career.