Crumby healthcare honcho eats cookie

[red '00]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

You are just confirming that you know nothing about what you are talking about. And that is coming from someone that does not necessarily have confidence in Duckett being successful in Alberta. There are too many people that will be sick in Alberta that have unrealistic expectations as to what a hospital should provide that don't want to spend the money. This population is aging, I am not sure what anyone can do. To blame this on a guy that really has not caused the problems is strange...

I have no idea if Duckett's plan will be the right plan, or even what the plan is going to look like. I am certainly not bashing the guy's skills from an interview, the press IMO should bugger off in most situations. As soon as the papers seemed to move from actual news to sensationalism my thoughts on reporters dropped immensely.

I'm not blaming Duckett for the problems. I simply don't believe he's the man to fix the problems. The situation is getting pretty bad, and in my opinion needs to be dealt with immediately. Not after five years and some "studies". He seems to like to downplay the situation, and for his salary I think it's not too much to expect someone to get worked up a bit and come up with some concrete solutions to fix the problem sooner rather then later. Health care is not a game, and it's not something that you should be taking your time with. Do I know exactly how to fix the issues? No... But I'm also not getting paid 700k to figure it out.

You can also tell a lot about someone based on how they carry themselves in public. All Duckett has done is laugh at people's upset comments regarding the system (seriously, interview with global) and try to downplay things. Not to mention his "cookie" thing... Try acting professional and answering the tough questions for concerned Albertans whom YOU serve Mr. Duckett.

[DrJ]

I am ashamed to be a part of AHS after that garbage.

[metallicat]

The reporter who got the cookie shoved in her face should've just taken a bite, although then we wouldn't have this awesome video.

[shermanator]

Global TV was mentioning this morning that Duckett may be let go as a result of this. They had a clip of Stelmach mentioning Duckett's comments were offensive as well.

http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/Alber...974/story.html

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Global TV was mentioning this morning that Duckett may be let go as a result of this. They had a clip of Stelmach mentioning Duckett's comments were offensive as well.

http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/Alber...974/story.html

As well he should. Health care is a highly sensitive issue and to respond as he did was unforgivable for a person in that position. It would have been quite simple to state that he would be happy to take the questions at the media scrum.

[Cowboy89]

Now officially punted!


http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/...118/story.html

[return to the red]

good but I have a feeling that he was really just hired to be the fall guy anyhow, making all the decisions that no one wanted to attach their name to.

[Ramsayfarian]

Good. I'm wonder what he received for a severance package.

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by return to the red

good but I have a feeling that he was really just hired to be the fall guy anyhow, making all the decisions that no one wanted to attach their name to.

I think this is very true. Many managers I have talked to seemed to suggest that this was the case. Slash and burn and then leave.

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

Good. I'm wonder what he received for a severance package.

If Duckett is terminated from his position without just cause, his contract states he would receive a severance of $575,000 — his base salary — paid over 12 months. He would also receive 15 per cent of that severance ($86,250) in lieu of other benefits and up to $20,000 for moving expenses, for a potential total of $681,250.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/story...68282&sponsor=

[red '00]

This province knows how to waste money like no other...

Think of all the hookers and blow you could buy with $700,000...

[FlameOn]

Wow... just wow... I have never seen anyone in a public position to act like such a crack pot. Doesn't this guy have any handlers?

I think this is pretty just cause for termination. The guy doesn't seem like he has the mental maturity of a 6 year old let along enough to run the AHS

[jolinar of malkshor]

Well he can pack up and head back to Australia now. Really, can we not find someone in Canada that can do the job?

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

I think this is pretty just cause for termination. The guy doesn't seem like he has the mental maturity of a 6 year old let along enough to run the AHS

This? He'll likely win this if he goes to court. Unless there is a documented history of discipline, he likely will get most, if not all of his severance.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

This? He'll likely win this if he goes to court. Unless there is a documented history of discipline, he likely will get most, if not all of his severance.

He's a public figure, part of his job is to properly deal with the media. If he can't handle part of his job and is publicly recorded as being unable to handle things in an effective manner, could this not be framed as grounds for termination? I'm not really an HR/labour law type... so how long a history of discipline is required?

People have been fired for a lot less. I really hope he doesn't get his severance tho... he needs to be cut off from his cookies.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

This? He'll likely win this if he goes to court. Unless there is a documented history of discipline, he likely will get most, if not all of his severance.

Did a quick search, doesn't this type of behavior fall under both wilful misconduct and dereliction of duty?

Both of these are listed under just causes for termination in Alberta's labour laws

Employer Circumstances

There are a number of circumstances where an employer is not required to give notice of termination. Probably the most important of these circumstances is termination for "just cause." Examples of just cause include:

• willful misconduct,
• disobedience, or
• deliberate neglect of duty,

where these actions are not condoned by the employer.
Other circumstances that permit an employer to terminate employment without giving notice include:

• the employee was hired for a definite term or task of less than 12 months, at the end of which the employment terminates (the 12-month limit for term or task does not apply to oil well drilling or geophysical exploration),
• the employee was laid off after refusing an offer by the employer of reasonable alternative work,
• the employee refuses work made available through a seniority system,
• the employee is not provided with work because a strike or lockout is taking place at the employee's place of employment,
• the employee is employed under an agreement by which the employee may elect either to work or not to work for a temporary period when requested by the employer,
• the contract of employment is or has become impossible for the employer to perform by reason of unforeseeable or unpreventable causes beyond the control of the employer,
• the employee was hired on a seasonal basis and at the end of the season the employment is terminated,
• the employee is on temporary layoff and does not return to work within seven days after being requested to do so, in writing, by the employer,
• the employee is in the construction industry,
• the employee is employed in the cutting, removal, burning or other disposal of trees and/or brush for the primary purpose of clearing land.

When an employee's employment is terminated for 'just cause', the employer must pay all wages, overtime, general holiday pay and vacation pay due the employee within ten days following the date of termination. The employer must be able to support their position that there was just cause for dismissal without notice.

http://employment.alberta.ca/SFW/1474.html

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/story...68282&sponsor=

My next question is, Was that just cause?

[Slava]

^ Pretty sure that they pay the severance and as a result they don't have to have just cause....that is the point of paying the severance.

[Joborule]

Must have been a cookie to lose a job over.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Slava

^ Pretty sure that they pay the severance and as a result they don't have to have just cause....that is the point of paying the severance.

He has his own contract....

http://www.scribd.com/doc/43914552/A...ith-Dr-Duckett

He has a generous severance.