As a Union of Professionals representing members at the Department of Banking, we find it disheartening to discover that the head of the agency was the subject of a recent Channel 3 I-Team Investigates news story. According to the reporting, based on interviews with 10 current and former employees, the Commissioner is alleged to rule through bullying and intimidation. You can watch or read the report here: I-Team: CT Banking Commissioner accused of bullying, humiliation, falling asleep on the job; Commissioner denies allegations.
Such allegations are most concerning to us, as no one should be made to work in a fear inducing environment. It is simple: under such conditions morale suffers, and as morale suffers, agency mission suffers. As Professionals, A&R members report to work with pride to fulfil the mission of their agencies. Pride in the workplace is what gets the job done! As reported, it sounds as if the agency mission is already suffering, with the agency losing respect of the financial industry it regulates. One thing seems clear: morale is at an all-time low, career employees are heading for the exits, and employees are speaking up about what they see as the root cause of these problems.
We agree with Governor Lamont when he says that he wants to "make sure things are working well there at the Department of Banking". We take him at his word when he says "we have an ongoing review". We believe that a formal review should indeed be conducted. Culture flows from the top down. Allowing a culture of bullying and intimidation to continue can only be to the detriment of the agency mission. No one works well in an environment of fear.
- posted 8/27