BEC@WORK
VOLUME 11, ISSUE 11
NOVEMBER 2012
Three Steps for better Trust
INSIDE
T HI S
ISSUE:
Occupational Safety and
Health
2
Training
The History
of Bajan
Music
3
2013 Public
Holidays
4
T
rust with employ-
ees is a two-way
street:
They
won’t trust you
unless you show
your respect for them.
Here’s how:
• Get to know them. Find
out what drives your
employees on the job and
off. When they see your
personal interest, they’ll
respond with more
honesty and commitment.
• Listen. Don’t do all the
talking in the workplace.
Ask questions, pay attention to the answers, and
paraphrase what you hear
to show that you take
employees and their ideas
seriously.
•Recognize their good ide-
as. When employees’ ideas
are better than yours, tell
them—and put them in
charge of implementing
them. Show that you have
the confidence to let
employees make decisions.
—Adapted from the Lead on Purpose blog
Safety and
Health at
Work
5
Essential Questions to Become a Better Leader
6
anagers tell employees what to
do, but good
leaders
start
from the opposite direction—by
asking questions so they can
learn as much as possible about
the people and circumstances
around them.
In my Kitchen
M
Enhance your leadership abilities
by asking more questions in these three categories:
• Purpose. Why are you doing
what you’re doing? Analyze the
purpose behind your organiza-
tion—its mission, goals, and tactics for achieving it. How well can
employees, customers, and community stakeholders articulate
your purpose? The answer to
that will tell you how well you’re
communicating.
• People. How well are you listening to people? Your employees and customers have lots to
say, if you’ll let them. At the
same time, they want to hear
from you. Are you connecting
with people and inspiring them?
Do they act on their own initia-
tive, or wait for direct instructions from you?
• Process. What could your organization be doing better? Examine your resources and how
you’re using them. Look for ways
to become more efficient. What
should you do more of? Less of?
Are you measuring the right
things? Keep a close critical eye
on your organization’s activities,
and you’ll increase productivity
and reduce red tape—and the
cynicism it breeds.
—Adapted from the Communitelligence website
PAGE 2
Occupational Health and Safety Training
O
Di d you
know that
in 1536 the
Portuguese
passed
through
Barbados
on their
way to
Brazil.
BE C @ W O RK
n Wednesday
strated through examthe 21st of
ples
how
cultural
November
change has an impact
the Barbados
not only in the workEmployers Confederation
place, but also in the
(BEC) hosted a tripartite
wider society by
imevent which focused on
pacting behaviour at
the
soon
to
be
home in a positive way.
proclaimed Safety &
These positive experiHealth at Work Act 2005ences as well as the
12. The event was held
skills
developed
at the Lloyd Erskine
through the process of
Sandiford Centre and From right to left Mr Sean Daniel, Industrial Relations Officer educating and training
was supported by some BEC, Mr. Errol Goodridge, Labour Dept., Mr. Orlando ‘Gabby’ people encourage more
Scott, BWU, Mr. Brian Reece, BL & P and Ms. Samantha Nurse49 companies represent- Butler, CO Williams
and more persons to
ing both members and
adopt a more careful,
non-members of the BEC. The enforcement provisions when considered and preventative
participants were drawn from all necessary.
approach and demonstrates a
levels within the various compagenuine change in culture.
Mr. Orland “Gabby” Scott gave
nies and represented sectors
the second presentation which The 40 minute panel discussion
ranging from manufacturing to
was focused on the need for the was eventually expanded to 55
tourism to offshore financial
social partners to work together minutes to allow the full ventilaservices.
towards a holistic safety and tion
of
questions
which
Three presentations were made health management system provoked interesting debates
by persons from Government, which fully utilised the scarce and highlighted the complexity
represented by the Labour human and capital resources of the issues which relate to
Department, Labour, represent- which have to be brought to safety and health.
ed by the BWU and the Private bear on this topic to ensure the
One thing is clear, following the
Sector, represented by Barba- desired
outcome.
Gabby
event, there needs to be an
dos Light & Power Ltd. There provided participants with much
ongoing effort to bring people
was also a panel discussion to think about as it related to
from the various organisations
after the presentations to allow Chronic
Non-Communicable
which make up the Social Partquestions and answers, for this disease control, HIV/AIDS in the
nership together more often as
the panel was
augment- workplace and the need for a
our differences are far fewer
ed by additional
private sec- sensible system of health
than the similarities which bind
tor representation in the form of surveillance which, if impleus together. The BEC will be
C.O.
Williams
Construction mented in the workplace would
continuing in its efforts to get its
Group Safety & Health Manag- have beneficial effects there
membership fully compliant
er, Ms. Samantha Nurse-Butler
and beyond.
with the Act on or before JanMr. Errol Goodridge gave the The final speaker Mr. Brian uary 1 and will be seeking to
first presentation which focused Reece brought the presentation collect important information
on the provisions of the soon to phase to a suitable climax with over the next week, through
be proclaimed legislation, its his presentation on preventa- email, your cooperation is
impact on local businesses and tive culture. This presentation necessary to be able to properly
provided the participants with brought to life the day to day assist you in the promotion of
advice as to where, when and management challenges and healthier and safer workplaces
how the Department would be opportunities which building a in Barbados.
assisting
companies
with preventative culture in any
compliance matters and using workplace brings. He demonVO L U ME
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PAGE 3
T
The History of Bajan Music
hough inhabited prior to the 16th century, little is known
about
Barbadian
music before the arrival of the
Portuguese in 1536 and then
the English in 1627. The Portuguese left little influence, but
English culture and music
helped shape the island's heritage. Irish and Scottish settlers
emigrated in the 17th century,
working in the tobacco industry, bringing still more new
music to the island. The middle
of the 1700s saw the decline
of the tobacco industry and the
rise of sugarcane, as well as
the introduction of large numbers of African slaves. Modern
bajan music is thus largely a
combination of English and
African elements, with Irish,
Scottish, and modern American
and Caribbean (especially
Jamaican) influences as well.
While slavery was ongoing
(1627-1838), African music
included work songs, funeral
and religious music. Though
slave owners initially allowed
dances, this ended in 1688
because officials feared that
the slaves would plan a rebellion at such festivities. The
same law also prohibited the
use of drums and horns, which
BE C @ W O RK
were feared to be used as
communication to facilitate
slave rebellions. The elite
plantocracy of the island
during the colonial era felt that
Christianity was ill-suited for
slaves; instead, the Church of
England sent missionaries to
convert the slave population.
Any cultural element of apparent African origin was suppressed in the name of promoting Christianity. Legal
restrictions furthered this goal
by banning parties on
Sundays, the Christian day of
rest, as well as dances like the
outdoors fertility dance, Jean
and Johnnie.
Traditional African music continued in spite of legal restrictions, including the use of
drums and rattles, and
declamatory and improvised
call and response vocals.
Much African music was used
in Obeah, an African religion
found throughout the island.
By the beginning of the 19th
century, slaves provided most
of the musical accompaniment for plantation festivities,
such as the Harvest Home,
while the white elites participated in dignity balls.
The
music
of
includes distinctive national
styles of folk and popular
music, as well as elements of
Western classical and religious
music.
The
culture
of
Barbados is a syncretic mix of
African and British elements,
and the island's music reflects
this mix through song types
and styles, instrumentation,
dances
and
aesthetic
principles.
Bajan folk traditions include
the Landship movement,
which is a satirical, informal
organization based on the
British navy, tea meetings, tuk
bands and numerous traditional songs and dances. In modern Barbados, popular styles
include calypso, spouge and
other styles, many of them imported from Trinidad, the United States or elsewhere. Barbados is, along with Cuba, Puerto
Rico, Trinidad and the Virgin
Islands, one of the few centers
for Caribbean jazz.
Barbados
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PAGE 4
2013 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The following Public Holidays will be observed in Barbados for the year 2013.
New Year’s Day
-
January 1
Errol Barrow Day
-
January 21
Good Friday
-
March 29
Easter Monday
-
April 1
National Heroes Day
-
April 29
May Day
-
May 1
Whit Monday
-
May 20
Emancipation Day
-
August 1
Kadooment Day
-
August 5
Independence Day
-
November 30
Christmas Day
-
December 25
Boxing Day
-
December 26
A True Bajan should know...
Yuh can' put mangoose tuh watch
chicken.
you about other persons may also
gossip with them about you too.
after your family interest.
Nuh name, nuh lock up.
Never trust people with things
which will be a great temptation to
them.
If greedy wait, hot wud (would) cool.
Patience will be rewarded.
If no names are called, no one can
be accused.
De dog dat bring a bone will kaah
one.
Home drum beat first.
Yuh got plaster fuh evah sore.
Before taking on someone else's
problems, you should first look
You have an answer for everything.
The very person who gossips with
BE C @ W O RK
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PAGE 5
Safety and Health at Work Act
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE PROCLAMATION OF SHaW 2005?
O
Conducting Risk Assessments
ne of the most fundamental steps
which anyone who is an employer on
or after January 1, 2013 has to be
aware of and have had done for their
workplace by that date is the completion of risk
assessments for their workplace and the
processes which are undertaken as part of the work
performed there. This is important as the Safety
& Health at Work Act 2005-12 becomes law following the proclamation of the Act which has
been announced as being scheduled for “on or
before January 1, 2013”.
Di d you
know that
in 1492
Spanish
stop in
Barbados
briefly
before
moving on
to other
islands.
What is a workplace risk assessment? A workplace risk assessment is a careful examination of
what is in your workplace and or work processes
could cause harm to people, with a view to
determining whether the precautions in place are
adequate to achieve the goal of eliminating or
reducing to acceptable levels the risks of injury or
ill-health as a result of performing one’s job.
There are basically five steps to conducting workplace risk assessments;
1. Identify the hazards ( a hazard is anything that
may cause harm)
2. Decide who might be affected and how
3. Measure the risks, design and or provide
appropriate precautions
4. Specify the findings and implement the solutions identified
5. Periodically review the assessments and
update as necessary
These steps are best conducted by a trained and
competent individual especially for larger organisations or where there are work processes which
are inherently dangerous. However, for many
businesses especially where the work is routine
and not dangerous, employers should be able to
conduct a risk assessment on their own or with
some guidance from their Trade Union, the Barbados Employers’ Confederation.
be properly documented as this provides
evidence to a Compliance and Enforcement
agency or operative as to the effort by the
employers to comply with the legal requirements. The officers of the Labour Department
specifically the Safety & Health Officers perform
the roles of both compliance and enforcement
officers when they act as agents of the Chief
Labour Officer whose office is referred to in the
legislation.
Once the risk assessment has been properly
done as an employer you are well on the way to
a sound occupational health and safety
management system. The risk assessment on its
own will not be enough as once the risks have
been identified there will be a need to take
action to eliminate or reduce to acceptable
levels the likelihood of injury or ill-health to a
member of staff. In general risk assessments
focus on the safety side of safety and health,
areas such as accident prevention and reducing
exposure to known harmful substances. In small
open economies which are also Small Island
Developing States (SIDS) resources are scarce
and expensive, therefore a focus on wellness,
particularly assessing and combating lifestyle
risks is also recommended. Chronic noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and cardio
-vascular disease consume up to 5% of GDP
through direct investment in health care solutions to cater to persons affected by these
diseases.
The process would utilise the same five steps
and it is recommended that a medical professional also be involved in the process as staff
are unlikely to want to share medical information
with someone other than a medical professional.
This routine risk assessment or health surveillance system would provide an early warning
system for staff who might otherwise not know
that their health is being compromised.
It is important that the risk assessment process
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PAGE 6
INGREDIENTS
2 cups corn flour
1/2 cup flour
3/4 lb finely grated pumpkin
6 oz margarine/shortening melted
1/2 lb sweet potato (optional)
3 cups grated coconut
1 egg (optional)
1 tsp salt
4 oz raisins (optional)
3/4 lb brown sugar
1 cup whole milk
1 tsp spice
1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp almond essence
*Banana, Plantain or Fig leaves
(singed over fire)
PREPARING THE LEAVES
1. Banana leaves are used to
wrap the conkie mixture,
therefore you need leaves that
aren't shredded.
2. Strip leaves from stalk with a
sharp knife. Leaves are very
delicate and tear easily.
Conkies
3. To use them in your recipe,
you must make them pliable
by briefly singeing them over
an open flame.
4. If your leaves start to curl up,
that means you had them on
the flame too long. If your
leaves spontaneously combust, that means you were
using old, dried up leaves.
Please use green leaves!
5. Tear your singed leaves into
individual squares to wrap
your conkies in. Many recipes recommend 8" x 8"
squares, but they can be bigger depending on how big
you want your conkies to be.
6. Cut the leaves into pieces
that you can comfortably
wrap the conkies in.
METHOD
 Combine grated coconut,
sweet potato & pumpkin.
 Mix in sugar, spices, flour,
corn flour, salt and raisins.
 Beat Egg and add to mixture
 Add milk, margarine and almond essence.
 Mix ingredients well. Mixture
should be thick and drop
slowly from a spoon.
 Place 2 to 3 heaping tablespoons in the centre of each
banana leaf square
 Fold the banana leaf neatly
around the mixture. Be careful not to tear the leaf, else
the mixture will leak.
 Steam conkies over rack of
boiling water in a large saucepan or steamer until firm to
the touch.
The Joke’s on You
Sam walks into his boss’s office. “Sir, I’ll be straight with you, I know the economy isn’t great, but I have over three companies after me, and I would like
to respectfully ask for a raise.”
After a few minutes of haggling the boss finally agrees to a 5% raise, and Sam
happily gets up to leave.
”By the way”, asks the boss as Sam is getting up, “which three companies are after you?” “The electric
company, water company, and phone company”, Sam replied.
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Comfort Corner
CLIMB THE PYRAMIDS
132
17
140
11
7
2
5
1
4
1
9
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Mission
The Barbados Employers’ Confederation promotes and
maintains harmony in the employment relationship by
being the employers’ primary advocate and advisor
assisting in the amicable settlement of disputes, as well
as facilitating social dialogue. Our wealth of expertise
and research capacity, allow us to provide targeted,
proactive solutions.
P.O. Box 33B
Britons Hill
St. Michael
Tel: (246) 435-4753/271-5257/58
Fax:(246) 435-2907
Email: [email protected]
Vision
The Barbados Employers’ Confederation will emerge as
the membership organization of choice for promoting the
viability and success of local and regional businesses
through the provision of high quality and professional
human resource and industrial relations solutions.
www.barbadosemployers.com