District of Sechelt Mayor Bruce Milne released a statement July 10 to quell rumours of staff layoffs at the District, following an in-camera look at an organizational review conducted by Perivale and Taylor Consultants.
The organizational review was requested by council and the initial findings recommended adjustments to three non-union positions: the superintendent of parks and public works, director of corporate services and human resources advisor.
Rumours soon started spreading via social media that the people in those positions had been fired.
“The incumbents in these positions have been informed and all three individuals remain employees of the District of Sechelt,” Milne said in an open letter to residents posted to the District’s website.
“Inaccurate and misleading statements on these issues are now circulating on social media. I am dismayed that such casual disregard for the private personal lives of District employees seems to be acceptable to members of our community. Due to legal requirements for due process and privacy we cannot, and you should not, say anymore on this issue.”
The full organizational review will come to a future council meeting for release to the public – however, communications manager Connie Jordison said she was unsure of the date at this point.
“The full report on the organizational review will be released as soon as it is appropriate to do so,” Milne noted.
