Human capital is a vital component of any organization. To manage it effectively, a skilled and qualified Human Resources (HR) Manager is required. However, at Ceypetco, the HR Manager is reportedly the least qualified person in the whole HR department. As a Grade A/2 officer, he should have obtained at least a Post Graduate Degree or a Post Graduate Diploma in the particular discipline. However, his only qualification is that he attended a five day leadership training program, this too at Ceypetco’s expense! He nevertheless earns a ‘professional’ allowance of 10 percent of his salary, which amounts to a clear financial fraud. An engineer or an accountant is entitled to a 10 percent allowance when he becomes a chartered engineer or a chartered accountant, respectively.
If the person completes this qualification while in Grades A/6 to A/4, he is entitled to three salary increments. However, if the engineer or accountant obtains chartered qualifications in A/3 Grade or above, only the 10 percent allowance is given. To become a senior manager, this qualification is a must.The HR Manager made it possible for such officials to obtain the professional allowance (without the necessary qualifications) begging the question whether he did this so he too could benefit He thus appears to have misled the Petroleum Minister, the administration and the Director Board of Ceypetco.
This individual joined Ceypetco as an Executive Assistance of Grade A/7 in 1998 with just a degree. Any official who joins Grade A/7 should be trained in all departments of the Corporation and on completion of this training is promoted to Grade A/6. He, however, has only undergone training in the Personnel Department but has been promoted after two years nevertheless.As an official of Grade A/6, this individual was responsible for internal and external recruitment. In 2004, the employees protested decisions taken by him and even assaulted him. This led to his transfer to the Internal Audit Department in 2004 after the new government came to power.In 2005, when the post of the HR Manager became vacant, he applied for it.
The former Deputy HR Manager was selected for the post. Following this, the individual complained to the Ombudsman regarding this selection and an inquiry was held. Following this, the Secretary of the Ministry had sent a letter to the Chairman of Ceypetco, ordering him to implement the recommendations. The concerned individual is said to have stolen this letter from the Chairman’s office. An inquiry was held against him for this and for altering the letter and handing it over to another person. The then Chairman Jaliya Madagama had decided that this act was a grave breach of discipline and recommended that the individual be interdicted and disciplinary action taken.
Meanwhile a new chairman, Asantha de Mel, was appointed and it appears that he was misled by this official. The recommendation of the inquiry was swept under the carpet and the individual apologized to the new chairman over the act.Thereafter, the said official has repeatedly harassed the then HR Manager, resulting in his resignation. He had also suffered a heart attack. Following this, he had asked the chairman to annul his resignation letter and reinstate him as he had to support four school going children. However, the above mentioned individual had taken up the position of HR Manager. -
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