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 (Jersey) Law 2003 requires that a Chairman and eight members are appointed by the Social Security Minister. The current membership is as follows;
Independent | Appointment end date |
Wendy Lambert (Chair) | 30 Nov 2009 |
Sally Johnson (Deputy) | 30 Sep 2009 |
Carol Le Cocq | 31 Dec 2011 |
| |
Employer | |
Jeralie Pallot | 31 May 2011 |
Jan McCarthy | 31 Dec 2011 |
Melvin Le Feuvre | 31 December 2009 |
| |
Employee | |
David Robinson | 31 Dec 2011 |
Rosemary Pestana | 31 Oct 2009 |
David O’Connor | 31 Dec 2011 |
Although the Employment (Jersey) Law 2003 does not limit the number of terms that a member may hold, the Forum has proposed 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 three terms of three years, that position should be openly advertised, whilst allowing the existing member to be considered for re-appointment, if they wish to continue on the Forum.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
An advertisement was placed in the Jersey Evening Post, on the Social Security ‘Jobs in Jersey’ website and was sent to all of those on the Forum’s consultation database (approximately 200 contacts, including employers and employees, trade unions and employers associations).
Two of the continuing members of the Forum, Jeralie Pallot and David Robinson, undertook interviews during August and September 2009. Three suitable candidates were identified to fill the following three vacancies and it is proposed that the following three members are appointed to the Forum effective from 1 December 2009, each for a three year term:
Miss Barbara Ward
Mrs Helen Ruelle
Mr Thomas Quinlan.
Employee position
David O’Connor was appointed to the Forum on 1 January 2009, however he resigned on 27 May 2009 due to personal circumstances. Barbara Ward will replace Mr O’Connor.
Miss Ward is currently an Executive representative for the Jersey Civil Service Association and the Senior Manager for Modernisation and Service Development at the Health and Social Service Department. Miss Ward’s previous experience includes 23 years of leading trade union roles for the Royal College of Nursing, including Lead Negotiator, Chairman, Secretary, Convenor and Lead Steward. Miss Ward is also currently a trustee of the States Public Employees Contributory Retirement Scheme.
Employer position
Melvin Le Feuvre has served three terms on the Forum, the third of which was due to end on 31 August 2008, but was extended to 31 December 2009 in order to allow Mr Le Feuvre to complete the latest minimum wage review. Mr Le Feuvre indicated that he would resign as soon as a suitable replacement had been identified and his resignation will be effective as of 30 November 2009. Thomas Quinlan will replace Mr Le Feuvre.
Mr Quinlan is currently the Human Resources Manager at the Hotel de France, with responsibility for all recruitment, selection, training, development, human resources and payroll within the Hotel. Mr Quinlan has more than 20 years experience working in the hospitality industry, both in Jersey and a number of award winning hotels in the United Kingdom, including roles managing hotel food and beverage operations, restaurants, bars and large conference and banqueting events. Mr Quinlan is also an “Investors in People” Champion.
Independent positions
Wendy Lambert has served three terms on the Forum, including four years as Chairman. Miss Lambert does not intend to reapply at the end of her current term.
Although not required by the Employment Law, the Forum has always ensured that one of the “independent” positions is filled by someone who is legally qualified. Mrs Helen Ruelle will replace Miss Lambert.
Mrs Ruelle is a Senior Associate and Head of the Employment Law team at Mourant du Feu & Jeune, where she has worked since 2001. Mrs Ruelle is a Jersey advocate and has ten years' experience of employment law, both in Jersey and the UK. Prior to joining Mourant, Mrs Ruelle worked as a commercial lawyer in the UK in both private practice and as an in-house lawyer in local government. Mrs Ruelle is also a member of the Employment Lawyers' Association.
Other vacancies
Chairman - A new Chairman is required to replace Miss Lambert. Traditionally, the Chairman has always been an “independent” member; however the Employment Law does not require this to be the case, only that a Chair and eight other members are appointed by the Social Security Minister.
David Robinson was nominated by the existing membership and he has agreed to take up the position of Chairman, effective from 1 December 2009.
Mr Robinson has worked for The Jersey Electricity Company for over 21 years; his present role includes Relief Shift Engineer and electrical responsibilities at La Collette Power station. Mr Robinson’s Prospect Trade Union roles of 18 years have covered a variety of positions including Chairman and member of the Negotiating Committee. He is the current members’ nominated trustee for the JEC pension scheme and has been a member of the Employment Forum for four years.
Employee representative - Mrs Rosemary Pestana has served a three year term on the Forum. Mrs Pestana’s circumstances have recently changed and she has decided not to request a second term on the Forum. Her position will become vacant as of 31 October 2009.
Independent representative - The Forum was unable to identify through the recent recruitment a suitable “independent” representative to replace Mrs Sally Johnson. Mrs Johnson’s current term ended as of 30 September 2009 and that position will remain vacant until such a time as a suitable replacement can be found. The Forum is seeking an independent person, ideally with experience or knowledge of economics or statistics.
The Forum will advertise for two new members in 2010.
The Forum proposes the following membership:
Independent | Appointment end date |
Carol Le Cocq | 31 Dec 2011 |
Helen Ruelle | 30 November 2012 |
Vacant | |
| |
Employer | |
Jeralie Pallot | 31 May 2011 |
Jan McCarthy | 31 Dec 2011 |
Thomas Quinlan | 30 November 2012 |
| |
Employee | |
David Robinson | 31 Dec 2011 |
Barbara Ward | 30 November 2012 |
Vacant | |