HAMILTON, Bermuda – Fourteen overseas Tourism workers have been offered the chance to stay with Bermuda Department of Tourism’s North American operation, as that office is restructured. Eight of the 14 are being offered new jobs.
An additional three posts are left to be filled as the North American office is downsized from the 26 posts held currently to 17 in the new structure.
Nine employees are being let go and the Acting Director’s tenure was allowed to expire.
Meantime, two additional employees have their sights set on the newly hired sales firm called Sales Focus – one is already employed, the other is in contention for a post.
Employees departing the Department of Tourism will receive redundancy packages in accordance with the Collective Agreement which includes three-weeks of salary per year up to a maximum of eight years service.
The package also includes the following:
• $5,000 for shipping
• Airfare for employee and child/children
• Monthly salary through November 30th, 2008, including health and life insurance benefits
• Pension benefits in accordance with each employee’s respective policy and years of service
The last day of employment for the affected employees is September 30, 2008.
The Department of Tourism is offering repatriation assistance for employees who need help finding housing and/or new work in Bermuda. There will also be financial assistance for persons who incur fees should there be a monetary penalty for breaking a lease.
The Tourism operation in North America is being restructured in an effort to make the office more efficient and results driven. The proposed changes were first outlined first outlined in March 2008 during the Budget Debate in the House of Assembly. Minister of Tourism and Transport Premier Dr. Ewart F. Brown said at that time, “The approach to doing business and the activities associated with the operation of the sales and marketing function (in the Department of Tourism) will be reviewed and no new or replacement resources will be hired. The work load will be redistributed and some of the functions historically performed will be eliminated or outsourced.”
