Mr Pratt; time to step up to the plate
Cathay have a Corporate Code of Conduct which is accessable to all staff via intracx. It binds all employees, directors included. Due to the magnitude of this Judgment, not only in financial terms, but by the involvement of some very senior Cathay figures, the Chairman of the Board, Chris Pratt, must be seen to take a very close look at the actions and behaviour of these individuals.
The Code promotes acceptable principles for behaviour in the work place, by not permitting any breaches of Employment Law and not condoning bullying, harassment and discrimination (including political views). The Code also cautions against openly advising colleagues to destroy documents. Breaching the code can carry serious sanctions.
Whilst the company has been properly dealt with by a Court, the focus must now turn to the behaviour of some of the individuals concerned.
Firstly, and by no means the worst, the Judge singled out Sherman Lam's testimony and described it as "an embarrasing assertion and name calling" Surely this amounts to bullying and harrassment.
A cornerstone of the Judgement was the very serious non-compliance of Employment Ordinance, notably unfair dismissal and the very real suggestion the dismissals were motivated by union involvement rather than activity (not as subtely suggested by the company's latest missive, union activities in the workplace). Mr Pratt should seek out those who were involved, both directly and indirectly, in the wrongful dismissals and both publicly and forcefully deal with them.
The manner in which Cathay conducted themselves during the Trial seemed to concern the Judge. The issue of the destruction of documents and the often contradictory testimony by Cathay witnesses needs to be considered by Mr Pratt. The fact that one of the defaming statements remained on CX's website until very recently was highlighted by the Judge and those who control the website should be explaining to Mr Pratt how this came about.
Finally, Messers Chen and Tyler. Their words cost Cathay shareholders and staff $60m. If one of us takes an unused newspaper off the aircraft we face dismissal.....
So come on Mr Pratt, show us the Corporate Code of Conduct is not some Management "yuck-speak" designed to placate Listing Authorities, but a meaningful document outlining accepted behaviour for all staff.
Mr Pratt, I look forward to your Friday telex......................