Jamaica Vacations Ltd (JamVac) Chairman Lloyd Barnett Jr on Thursday dismissed as “mischief” allegations that a senior member of the organisation’s leadership team has a “chaotic and vindictive” management style and a penchant for ignoring proper procedures.

Barnett also invited the author of an e-mail outlining these and other allegations to provide proof of them.

“I can’t respond to an anonymous e-mail that has allegations that are not verifiable. I returned an e-mail to whomever wrote it, advising that I’m willing to meet with them to have further discussions on their allegations. I wrote to them on the 26th of April. Today is the first of May and I have heard no response from them, so I attribute it to mischief,” Barnett told the Jamaica Observer.

He said the matter was also brought before the board for discussion.

When contacted, the senior JamVac staffer, whose name is being withheld, told the Observer the chairman would be the best person to respond. Asked for an opinion on why “mischief” would be created, the JamVac official said, “I have no idea.”

JamVac is a public body of the Ministry of Tourism. It has responsibility for ensuring adequate airlift into the country, as well as a mandate to improve the cruise visitor experience in Jamaica.

Barnett told the Observer that, as at other State agencies, there are channels in place for whistleblowers at JamVac to speak out without backlash. He said there is an Integrity Commission (IC)-approved disclosure policy in effect that names a particular employee as the designated officer.

He also insisted that he has an open-door policy to facilitate staff concerns and anyone not satisfied with the way he handles an issue may seek recourse from the permanent secretary or the minister.

According to Barnett, since he has been in the role of chairman over the past two years, they have “had no issues regarding any of these areas of allegations” outlined in the message.

“The person or persons who wrote the e-mail did not identify themselves. The anonymous e-mail spoke to the disgruntlement of past and present staff, as well as allegations regarding arrangements under the cruise portfolio. The board is not aware of any of these complaints,” he said.

“The allegations purport ‘arrangements’. What are the arrangements? If the person doesn’t come forward and tell us it is impossible to launch an investigation. We have an audit committee that meets every month, as well as a finance and a HR (human resource) committee that meets every month prior to the board meeting. These subcommittees bring reports to the board meeting.

“We have had no report from the HR committee of any disgruntlement of staff. We have had no report from the audit committee regarding any discrepancies regarding any untoward behaviour, regarding any suspicion of any act by any member of staff. We view our responsibilities as a board very seriously. We take all issues into consideration, and we look at them,” the JamVac chairman assured.

He said after one employee, who was terminated last year, wrote to him and complained that she had been unfairly dismissed, the issue was resolved.

“As far as I know, she was satisfied because she accepted the severance package. You don’t accept a severance package unless you are in agreement with the termination of your employment. So I’m not aware of any other issue,” said Barnett.

He said while the e-mail from the anonymous sender claimed that the IC had been contacted regarding concerns about the senior JamVac staffer’s actions, the JamVac board will go no further unless there are more details and proof provided to support the vague allegations made.

“It is not for me to contact the IC regarding the report. It is for the IC to contact me. I don’t want to necessarily start an avalanche of queries that may not be necessary. If the IC needs to talk to me, I’m sure they will reach out to me,” Barnett said.

He added that he awaits word from the IC on whether it needs his input for an investigation.