Employment Forum Membership
Background
The Employment Forum is intended to consist of nine members, appointed on the basis of their interest in employment relations and diversity of backgrounds, with three employer, three employee and three independent representatives. The Employment Law requires that members are appointed by the Social Security Minister.
Although the Employment (Jersey) Law 2003 does not limit the number of terms that a member may hold, the Forum has suggested that in accordance with good practice, there must be an opportunity to recruit new members in order to prevent stagnation. The Forum suggested that when a member has completed two three year terms, their position should be openly advertised, whilst allowing that existing member to also be considered, if they wish to continue.
The current members and their terms of appointment are:
| Appointment end date |
Independent | |
Carol Le Cocq | 31-Dec-11 |
Helen Ruelle | 30-Nov-12 |
Vacant | |
| |
Employer | |
Jeralie Pallot | 31-May-14 |
Jan McCarthy | 31-Dec-11 |
Thomas Quinlan | 30-Nov-12 |
| |
Employee | |
David Robinson | 31-Dec-11 |
Barbara Ward | 30-Nov-12 |
Vacant | |
The second terms of three members will expire on 31 December this year. These positions have been openly advertised, along with two positions that are currently vacant. Mrs Jan McCarthy has indicated her intention to resign when a replacement has been approved.
Recruitment process
When recruiting, the Forum’s main priorities are to ensure that its nine members cover the widest range of skills, expertise and industry types possible, and that members have recent knowledge and relevant experience of employment relations. It is also vital to provide some continuity amongst the membership to provide a balance between retaining Forum knowledge and experience, as well as introducing new perspectives and skills.
A notice advertising positions in all three membership categories was sent to all of those on the Forum’s consultation database on 17 June 2011 (approximately 250 contacts, including employers and employees, trade unions and employers associations). A notice was also placed in the Jersey Evening Post, on the Social Security ‘Jobs in Jersey’ website, and on the ‘Linked In’ professional network.
Eight candidates were interviewed. Two continuing members of the Forum, Mrs Jeralie Pallot and Mrs Helen Ruelle, undertook the interviews during September following best practice in the recruitment process. Three new members have been selected and are recommended for appointment by the Minister.
The Minister is requested to appoint the following candidates as Forum members, each for a three year term of office, effective from 18 October 2011:
Independent
Mr Malcolm Ferey is Bureau Manager of the Jersey Citizens Advice Bureau which is responsible for providing advice to individuals from all walks of life on a wide range of issues, including employment related matters. Previously, Malcolm worked for the Social Security Department as the qualified Data Protection Officer and as a Compliance Inspector; a role which included surveying business for compliance with Social Security and employment legislation, including minimum wage investigations and enforcement. Malcolm is a member of the Consumer Lending Steering Group, the Chair of the Debt Collection Agency Working Party and is a former Centenier for the Parish of St Helier.
Employee
Mr Ian Syvret is Assistant Manager of the Parks and Gardens division of the Transport and Technical Services Department. Ian is the current Chairperson of Civil Service Unite, which is a branch of Unite the Union and one of Jersey’s Civil Service staff representative bodies. Ian previously worked as an employee in the local fulfilment industry for eight years, and prior to that, operated his own gardening maintenance business in the UK for 10 years, employing 12 staff. Ian is also a Constable’s Officer for the Honorary Police.
Employer
Mrs Julie Fairclough is the Head of Transformation for Royal Bank of Canada Global Trust & Wealth Management UK, leading business restructuring and cross-jurisdictional change initiatives across all business lines. Julie is the UK representative for the RBC Wealth Management Diversity Advisory Council and Chair of the RBC New Business Committee. Julie is a qualified accountant and has managed small and large teams throughout her career, including previously as the Financial Controller for a large local retail franchise.
Other appointments
The Minister is also requested to approve that the terms of appointment of Mr David Robinson and Mrs Carol Le Cocq are each extended for a further three years.
The current and proposed members and their terms of appointment are:
| Appointment end date |
Independent | |
Carol Le Cocq | 31 December 2014 |
Helen Ruelle | 30 November 2012 |
Malcolm Ferey | 17 October 2014 |
| |
Employer | |
Jeralie Pallot | 31 May 2014 |
Thomas Quinlan | 30 November 2012 |
Julie Fairclough | 17 October 2014 |
| |
Employee | |
David Robinson | 31 December 2014 |
Barbara Ward | 30 November 2012 |
Ian Syvret | 17 October 2014 |