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Laid off LDB workers feel ‘used’

- alleged management was 'insensitive' towards them during final months before closure
Laid off employees of Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort had allegedly planned to boycott the company's fun day on Sunday May 1, 2016, choosing instead to have their own activity. Photo: Team of Reporters
After working at Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort for 15, 20, 30 and even over 45 years for some, laid off staff members of the resort have parted company feeling 'used' and have accused management of being insensitive towards them during what was a very difficult last couple of months for them. Photo: VINO/File
After working at Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort for 15, 20, 30 and even over 45 years for some, laid off staff members of the resort have parted company feeling 'used' and have accused management of being insensitive towards them during what was a very difficult last couple of months for them. Photo: VINO/File
Some former employees of Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort at their own staff gathering yesterday, May 1, 2016. Photo: Team of Reporters
Some former employees of Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort at their own staff gathering yesterday, May 1, 2016. Photo: Team of Reporters
The tents that management of Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort were setting up for its fun day on May 1, 2016. Photo: Team of Reporters
The tents that management of Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort were setting up for its fun day on May 1, 2016. Photo: Team of Reporters
LITTLE DIX BAY, Virgin Gorda VI- After working at Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort for 15, 20, 30 and even over 45 years for some, laid off staff members of the resort have parted company feeling “used” and have accused management of being insensitive towards them during what was reportedly a very difficult last couple of months for them.

The popular Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort closed yesterday, May 1, 2016 for 18 months to undergo major renovations, putting more than 320 workers out of work.

And while many of the employees would have liked to leave with pleasant memories of the many years worked there, their departure at the weekend turned out to be one of disappointment, anger and even tears.

‘Management treated us really bad’

“Management treated us really bad, like for the last few months of the closure. They have a new manager that treated us really horrible. He has no hospitality, no Caribbean warmth. All he was concerned about was about the closure,” alleged an upset former employee of the resort.

According to the former employee, since a new manager, Mr Andreas Pade, came a couple of months ago, which was at a very sensitive time, he allegedly never sought to "form a bond" with employees or tried to be sympathetic.

Virgin Islands News Online was told that there was a prayer session on Friday April 29, 2016 where the staff members prayed for each other and the resort and the manager didn’t even show up for it.

Staff is also upset that management allegedly chose to destroy their food supplies and furniture without even making an offer to staff, some of whom worked at the resort for over 40 years.

“Imagine they had some food stuff and beds and sheets and so on, all the stuff the resort had they didn’t even say to give to the employees, everything they dumped. The manager even followed the dump trucks to ensure the items were dumped and burnt,” the former employee alleged.

Used & discarded?

This news site was further told that Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort hired a lot of security personnel to “police the resort” on Saturday, April 30, 2016. “Like they think we were going to thief anything,” the source stated.

The ex-staff member further said that some 70 guests left on Saturday, which meant that staff had to finish the day by “packing up things at the resort. There was no consideration for us, you just collected your severance and you were gone. It’s like they used us for the last then discarded us, throwing you to the wolves.”

Staff snubs LDB fun day!

Meanwhile, the disgruntled former employees said the resort had planned a fun day for staff on Sunday May 1, 2016, however, it was postponed because the laid off employees were going to boycott it.

“We are actually going to our own party now because the employees went to church and spent time together and now they going to a party, and they don’t want any management around....It was just the last months or so how they treated us, their employees. It was just terrible,” the source alleged.

Management denies some allegations

Meanwhile, Virgin Islands News Online contacted Resort Manager at Rosewood Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort, Mr Andreas Pade who denied that the resort had discarded anything.

“We haven’t even got to that yet. We have been running a full occupancy right up to the last day [that] that we haven’t got to sorting out what is going to happen to everything. So that is why nothing has been done, nothing has been gotten rid of,” Mr Pade said.

Further, Mr Pade said the fun day was postponed due to the inclement weather.

“It was simply postponed, we are waiting for the weather to let up. As you probably noticed, the last two days, and now we are into the third day, it has been very wet, so in order for the event to really have the right environment we decided to hold off to see if tomorrow will be sunnier to whenever a sunny day comes this week. We were worried that people wouldn’t show up because of the weather,” Mr Pade told this news site this morning, May 2, 2016.

Meanwhile, concerning the other allegations, Mr Pade advised that we speak to General Manager Mr Edward Linsley. A response to our questions from Mr Linsley was not received up to publication time.

47 Responses to “Laid off LDB workers feel ‘used’”

  • Observer (02/05/2016, 12:55) Like (18) Dislike (29) Reply
    good for you all take that for voting for the NDP and Burtee
    • Stright up (02/05/2016, 13:53) Like (17) Dislike (15) Reply
      I have to agree, the employees was used like a second hand fiddle. That resort could care less about the employees. They are going to turn little Dix Bay into a state of the art luxury resort. None of the former employees is going to get their old jobs back.
  • if (02/05/2016, 13:34) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    If this former employee is speaking the facts then it is really sad. However I keep saying we have some persons coming into this territory who has their own agenda and don't seek to know the rich heritage history of the country,culture and its people. I am convicted that they came with a iron hand never seeks to find ways to help our people but to sap the life out of our people. I'm not here negating the fact that employees don't do foolishness sometimes and cause others to think different of them but everybody can't do bad so this matter here poses a red flag
    • please (02/05/2016, 14:39) Like (25) Dislike (4) Reply
      The man come with a mandate and is carrying it out. Learn about what heritage? Let the people do their jobs. How do the local managers treat the other locals since they all share the same rich culture and heritage? In these work places once people cant do what they please they call it unfair. You choose to work at a place for 30 years and ypu get paid for it so how can you claim any one used you?
  • Help (02/05/2016, 14:06) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    I hope The BVI Tourist Board can assist here, maybe they can hire some of them to join the new management trainee program.
    • Hmph (02/05/2016, 17:20) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
      Tourist Board don't do sh*t but waste the government money on unnecessary travels and big salaries!
      • Vision (06/05/2016, 12:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        True tourist board is a waste of government money, that department needs to be audited and looked through, unneccessary spending totally. The employees that lived abroad they spend so many money on them for no reason. The Premier needs to look further into this department more.
    • question (03/05/2016, 10:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What's a management trainee program? Where can I get info about this?
  • Wendy (02/05/2016, 14:14) Like (39) Dislike (18) Reply
    Seems to me like y'all departure was long overdue. The new manager did not arrive to be your psychologist, pastor or nanny. why do you want their discarded stuff? Did you want tp purchase it at a discount? Typical beggar mentality. Do your job the best you know how, take your severance and move on to your new beginning. Give gratitude for a lenghty employment, advance notice and severance. Hopefully it will be a reality check .,, a new beginning in a real world where you find a job that you really deserve and know what misery and miserly is in todays market.
    • Wendy (02/05/2016, 14:59) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
      Inhumane comment
      • ..... (02/05/2016, 15:59) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
        Your sentiment ,understandibly, would be felt by those who consiously or otherwise views his or herself or these former employees as chattel.
    • chad (03/05/2016, 05:45) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Have a heart... I don't where ur from but some of you people really do not have nothing good for this country and its people.
  • child of an employee (02/05/2016, 14:18) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply

    speaking the facts. That is not the worse of it. can you imagine giving a company more than 40 years of service and to be thrown out with a severance of $24,000.00.

    • Oh no!!!! (02/05/2016, 18:22) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      24,000.00 you say? After 40 years of service? That is so wrong. I was working in the US at a company that is now closed for 20 years and my severance package was $250,000.00. For twenty years of service.
    • Madison (02/05/2016, 21:16) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      this happy an nappy employee was contented and compensated with a salary fo 40 years. was it too much of an effort to look out for a better employment/separation package or was it the perks such as freebies and pilfering which kept him/her.
  • onlooker (02/05/2016, 14:29) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    Instead of using the severance pay given to work towards your betterment you chose to have a party...you choice just like it is hotels choice to improve to meet the demands of the market. Furthermore, you worked and you got paid (many people in these situations never see a penny), life on the whole is not fair chin up and move on. Every level of life is a learning experience. You got some skills from one on the top institutions on the island, take that knowledge build on it and see how far you will go in life, stop wallowing in yesterday, it will get you no where. Looking forward to hearing all the success stories from this, and the improvements that this institution will bring to the hotel industry.
    • huh (02/05/2016, 16:08) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
      I wish it could happen to you too so that you could know how it feels from here chatting piss.
  • Queen Mary (02/05/2016, 15:40) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    So there are some of us, too many, who are offended, insulted and rejected because massa has not blessed them with their (massa)unwanted and used castaways.
    Folks,you are free, find some dignity and get a life.
    Heaven promises an eternity stay.
    Little Dix is not Heaven.
    The worse a prospective employee should do , is talk negatively about a previous employer.
    Current and future employers are getting an earful and it hurts you and others others like yourself.

  • So sad (02/05/2016, 16:45) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    It seems as if things gone from bad to worst let me tell you all buckle your seat belt because there is more to come in VG under this government. If people in the BVI unite together things will not be so bad plus they bringing in workers and it have people here who can do the work locals and none locals .The Labor department is a waste of tax payers money all we can do is pray for the best. The next year it will only have rich and the little man in the BVI it is heading that way pretty fast thanks to the greedy ///.
    • @ So Sad (02/05/2016, 16:57) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do you think LDB and others wouldn't have made the same decisions if VIP, POP or LMNOP were in power? I really hope sometimes you all are just joking on the blogs because if you guys think like this in real life, God see for you. Try starting a business, hiring people and having to make decisions/sacrifices and see what happen.
      • ta ta (02/05/2016, 20:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        I run out of shame fi bvi couple years ago. By the time the animals done with we BVI only puss and go will lef.
  • VG (02/05/2016, 16:53) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Invest some of your severance. Get your Associates degree from HLSCC in the two years that LDB is closed. For $135 per semester as a belonger that's a steal of a deal. The hospitality, business, and culinary classes are good. Get qualified. There is no excuse to not get re-hired or get a good job elsewhere.
  • HeHe (02/05/2016, 18:27) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    nobody want their old food anyway! they should cook it and eat it among themselves. We not beggears. cook and give it to the policemen, because now you cant find one on the road as they are all working security at $10 an hour a at Little dix
  • Just Me (02/05/2016, 19:13) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    I got my payout money and I am moving on. During my years at Little Dix I got as much experience as I could. You should not get to comfortable on any job. I was always determine to put away $50.00 a paycheck. Now with my payout money from the hotel and the change I discipline myself to save for the past 10 years I can stay home for a couple of months until I figure out my next move. It was sad to leave but, that is water under the bridge. You have to move on, when one door close, another one will open. I will cross that road when I get to it.
  • facts man (02/05/2016, 19:54) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    I roll my eyes every time someone talk about go to school and get degree and i know five people now in east end with degrees can't find a dam JOB
  • VIP Lover (02/05/2016, 19:54) Like (13) Dislike (11) Reply
    NdP is the cause of all this heartache. They always at the resort getting free room and food. HOw come everybody fired off and some never got a letter? How come some who are work permit holders still working? IN that case, should the jobs not be advertised again and under new contract? How come the New manager gets away with treating the employees like pig dung? why did he get a permit weeks before the hotel closed? was he hired as the Clsoing manager? He did the closing but did such a lousy job at it too. I hope he puts that in his resume for his next job.
  • Captain (02/05/2016, 20:05) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Captain, the ship is sinking!!! well it pretty much has already sunk!
  • Immigratzon (02/05/2016, 21:30) Like (8) Dislike (14) Reply
    we need to find a way to deport some of these people from our shores. They not bringing in anything, just here to fill their pockets and leave
    • Local (02/05/2016, 23:28) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Immigration, you are talking a bunch of bull...t now. I was born here and all I can say is stop blaming people for your own damn stupidness, most of you sit back and want big pay or turn up your damn snouts/noses and think some of the jobs is demeaning and when the outsiders come here and get the jobs that you feel is beneath you, you talk S&&t. Stop being such an Ahole. Most of the people who come here for a better way of life work their A&&'s off. The problem is most of you locals is to damn lazy. Live and let live. Honestly, I would prefer to hire someone from outside to work for me than my own local people. To much drama with you locals.
    • indeed (03/05/2016, 16:19) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      They learn fast from our politicians
  • mental slavery (02/05/2016, 22:29) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    you know a young man was fired for asking for help to carry a bag of laundry at that resort? Guess who fired him?
  • I have this feeling (02/05/2016, 22:37) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    God is displeased. Just look at the weather from April 30th
    • Moo-Moos (03/05/2016, 09:14) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      What's wrong with the weather? Stop putting God in all your little pissing ideas. That statement makes sense? Weather is a natural event. When did God tell you he is displeased? This is the same piss-talking stupidness they brain-washed our people into -- God, God, God, God -- no man had seen him nor has he communicated to them -- mouth shut, but all kinds of stories still jumping out.
  • island man (02/05/2016, 22:44) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    I hear NdP building a resort on Salt island, send the Danish to manage that.
  • rr (03/05/2016, 07:02) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    Why would you people want or expect the resort to give you the left over food and furniture from the resort. Why would you want furniture that 100's of people slept and sat on. You all better be happy you all got a payout. The resort did not have to give you all anything.
  • So we say (03/05/2016, 08:07) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    @ Immigratzon, I hope you mean the slave drivers who come here and don't know or care about the people, the vision or the culture of the people. they come here with their agenda for bigger bonuses whenever they can cut back on salaries and benefits. they come here and get all things paid. they save all their money and then leave to destroy another country. I hope that is who you mean needs to be deported
  • to good to be true (03/05/2016, 08:11) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    @ RR, you obviously does not read or have any inkling of the labor laws in the BVI. If you have nothing to say or no knowledge, simply exit this page! Severance is paid according to the Labor laws. Have you worked for a company at mimimum wage and given your best for 45 years? YOu have not! or your comments would have been more sensible. There are needy people within the BVI, if they do not want to give the emplyees, then give some stuff to the charities. They burned new beds, new clothing! Is that community spirit?
    • rr (03/05/2016, 12:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is the resort stuff and if they want to burn the s..t or throw it in the ocean that is their right to do so. And, I can say what the H.ll I want to say. Just like you have a right to be on this page, so can I. You better recognize.
  • It rough (03/05/2016, 08:16) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    The Danish & the chimney needs a lot to learn about emotional intelligence. That is where he falls short.He may have arrived with a great online amazon bought resume but he obviously has no clue about Hospitality. The first thing in hospitality is to say good morning, good afternoon, smile and make eye contact.
  • good news (03/05/2016, 08:27) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    @ It rough- Lol! Amazon sells Resume now? LOL, LOL
  • trrefdrfds (03/05/2016, 08:30) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    @It rough-good point. I don't know where some people get their training but maybe where he coming from it is not done that way. not everyone ca pretend, not everyone understand the Caribbean culture.
  • Longandshort (03/05/2016, 09:20) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    They still believe the local people are their slaves and not humans. Some whites who came here in the 60s when BVI was nothing were more humane. Those arriving now from South Africa and other racist countries, only pretending among us. You want to see trouble, watch when they try to put in one of their representatives. Their aim is always to outsmart us. Wake up, people, stop begging these people for handouts; they have no good use or wish for us. It is brewing people, can't you discern it? The poe will buss one day. Let the Government do not address some of these problems and then they will feel later down the road. No, to Colonialism; no to racism, no to apartheid in this country, no to white supremacy.
  • On looker (03/05/2016, 09:43) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    My one recommendation to the Government is not to have them old Managers in the territory for the next two years. Especially, the one mentioned in these comments. People will be victimized.
  • Just another blond joke (03/05/2016, 10:19) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    @ Mo-Mo-- YOur name says it all! I rest my case. Spend some time in your bible. I communicate with God, you may have many so I do not know which one you serve! Yes, sometimes our actions displeases God, have you ever heard of Jonah, and how bad it was for the boat he was in? They eventually had to throw him overboard, the seas immediately got calmed!
  • Not another Mo Mo (03/05/2016, 10:23) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    @ Mo Mo- Yes it true. After Jonah was thrown overboard the sea immediately calmed. So you see, as soon as Vino post the story of the inhumane treatment of the employees, it is a brighter day today! Thank you Vino! You are the BEST! You deserve a Pulitzer. Thank you for being the People;s paper, Long live VINO. we love you guys, you always give the underdog a voice. Yes, brighter days are ahead for sure.
  • justice (03/05/2016, 12:39) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply

    Best thing Government can do is let a man go after year is over. done take away a key position at the desk to give friend the cat lover. The poor young belonger had to run to the US.why bring someone in when people here can do the job, he has his degree.don't care what they say , no black man ain't getting no position if certain man has any say, already acting like the new gm



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