(CMR) Cayman Airways Ltd. (CAL) lost five employees this week after three were terminated for theft and two resigned with immediate effect.
CMR understands that three employees were terminated during the course of the week for allegedly stealing cash at the check-in counters. Our exclusive sources allege that those persons were not accurately indicating the weight of bags in the system but still charging the correct amount to the customer overage. As a result, an astute pilot felt that his flight load was heavier than was indicated on the submitted documents. After some checks were carried out the discrepancies were discovered. They were, in turn, taking the money charged to customers for excess baggage/weight. Unable to properly account for why it was happening the staff members were terminated.
One source shared that this was not the first time that one of those individuals were reported for obvious discrepancies. However, in the past, it is alleged that they were given a “pass” because of a family relationship with a VP in the organization.
CMR has received staff complaints about CAL for quite some time that run the gamut including inappropriate communications and possibly relations from the top managers in the organization to their female subordiantes. An observation made by someone indicated:
“In the height of the #MeTwo Movement you have managers at CAL snapping chatting staff with inappropriate sexual messages and allegeding enganging in sexual relations with them. Any where else this would be unacceptable but at CAL it par for the course and just another day at work. What's worse is other employees know about it and feel the perks that some are granted because of it.”
Other sources citing the high turnover rate as an indication of more serious issues in the airline shared that staff is treated poorly and underpaid. They often wondered if CAL management was forcing staff out the door with poor treatment instead of having to lay them off and therefore be forced by the labor laws to pay them severance. When asked about this an employee noted:
“It basically amounts to constructive dismissal. You know treat them like sh** and then they will get tired of the unprofessional and poor treatment and ultimately resign. It's a win-win for CAL and needs to be seriously looked at by the board. It's time that they step in and address the poor moral issue.”
Further, claiming that staff has essentially been told by the board of directors that they can easily be replaced by high school graduates when they complain of issues. They also alleged that flight attendants are being employed despite failing their training and swimming requirements. Several persons now are calling for an overhaul of the management at Cayman Airways including the board of directors. These persons have suggested many more current and former employees would have to speak out about what is happening in that organization. However, as is typical in the Cayman Islands speaking out, comes at a significant cost to those who might be brave enough to do so.
There have been at least three Caymanian pilots who have left the organization in the past several years as well and have gone transferred to the Middle East to work with other regional airlines there.
In addition to the three terminations, CAL also received two flight attendant resignations with no notice. One person who has resigned as a member of the human resources team. Some persons are questioning what they consider an increase in staff turnoff during the past six months and the implications that will have for the upcoming holiday season.
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