Our company has a dispute between the Branch Manager and a…

This is the 5th letter of complaint by employee!

REPORT TO XXXXX JONKER AND BILL KRIGE 18.10.12

I believe our Academy offers many young people a wonderful career, to become a Project Designer.

SCHOOL VISITS

On behalf of the Academy I have visited some schools where I have met some of the Engineering and Graphic Design and Maths Teachers, spoken to them, e-mailed them to encourage them to send their students to our Academy. Kingsway have sent 5 Students through already. Total school s who have come through e.g. students 21 since April. Recently I sent a reminder e-mail and at the Breakfast distributed our brochures etc to all present.

I have been an employee here for the past seven years. At first I assisted Emma Riberio, the Manager then and later was given the task of doing the AutoCad and dealing with the Student Fees setting up their files doing the Debtors in conjunction with Head Office, also Profile Assessments and follow up to the schools, visited the schools together and to assist wherever possible at the Academy , especially to market the AutoCad Courses and the Academy locally. Did distributions to all the local Libraries with the AutoCad Flyer I designed.

I have never shirked my responsibilities, have seen people come and go from the Academy. I have been doing Pilgrimages (‘Spiritual “ since 2007, this was cleared by Emma with you Professor on my behalf. Pam, Chantal, Pearl and Head Office knew about this. I even brought my own paper.

On 15^th OCTOBER 2012 : INCIDENT : ACCUSED BY YOU BILL OF NOT DOING MY ACADEMY WORK.

Bill you had arranged for the Air Conditioning Company to come to our Academy. Patricia came to me to ask did I know anything about this. You were lecturing at the time Bill : I asked their Technician what was the call out for. He said to check and service the Air conditioners. When I phoned upstairs Chantal said she didn’t know anything about it. I said could she find out and come

back to us as I could not let him start servicing any without Bill’s approval. Well you came down

and after speaking to them and telling them to leave my office you verbally attacked me. I had just returned from a Spiritual weekend – Your face even depicted your aggression- My question to you is there was no communication from your side to us down stairs – also why bring service men in when you are busy lecturing then you get angry: we would have been liable to pay for any servicing done? I was just checking. Is it necessary to verbally attack me. see report further down. You said you e-mailed the Air conditioning Company – I don’t doubt that – but to save you being interrupted perhaps you could have specified for them to come rather in the afternoon – and save yourself from getting angry, and verbally attacking me.

PRIVATE WORK DURING COMPANY TIME:

However, I have had to put up with aggressive people of late, over these past two years. Recently Ms Pam Du Toit left our employment – You Professor and Judy (has now left the Academy) were always concerned that whenever you phoned, Pam du Toit was never here. Many times after your speaking to the Receptionist Professor D , you would ask to be put through to me – where was Pam?. Often I would ask our Receptionist who said she was out etc. I said on many occasions please contact her on her Cell and find out where she is. She had been doing private work in the Academy Time – Bill you finally admitted it here in my office last week, that she was late even coming in to work daily and even after 10.30am.and that she had been doing private work. She was selling shoes (you were sitting in her office once when I went through to get a signature- you said you had bought a pair.)Besides that she was selling Acorn Kids equipment ( ran a Dealership) Professor you are aware of this, Also of the Reiki Treatments. When I packed the case to go to Kloof I found our Table cloths missing – these we kept in the suitcase too. All this we use when visiting the schools. This Pam used privately too. When I got to Kloof I found a complete Seminar File on a whole lot of New Age stuff etc. in the zipped compartment on the top lid of the case. When she arrived at Kloof I asked her at Kloof High School– is this your File? – she admitted it was. I had to give you a report back about the visit Professor and I told you what had occurred. Beforehand Professor D you had phoned and insisted I go with Pam and we were each to take R50.00 for travelling costs.

DEALERSHIP

I had challenged Pam when I found her Flyer amongst my documents I had printed - I asked her was this hers – Pam admitted it was. I told her I was sending it to head Office. I said how could you do this when last year we had to take a cut in our salaries?. I forwarded this to you Professor. Our Security could also substantiate her lateness and going off early. Now Bill you have finally admitted it

Yet you came into my office and told me you were friends with Pam, and she continues to come here and collect her domestic worker from the Academy. I came early one morning and saw you and Chantal talking to her in front of our gate. Why can’t she go to Buxtons to collect her domestic there. Originally Michael Khuzwayo worked every Tuesday for the Academy e.g. one full day– you and Pam changed that. I am not disputing that he doesn’t do a good job here, but he has free board too. Our outside walls need to be cleaned and dusted and patches at the front gate on the inside could be washed down. (Green now with mildew)

Both you and Chantal attacked me in your e-mail about (Pam)this. Nicolene you got the same e-mail it was in July on 17^th after my father in law had died. I had been up from midnight the previous evening contacting family etc. I had tried to phone the office from after 7:00am and 8:00 am no one answered - Finally I got Kevin on his Cell Phone to say I would be in later. I then received this vicious e-mail from you both. (It was a response to my questioning you both about the Phone – people were complaining they couldn’t get through – Chantal then said we could have the phone on multi transfer – I said why hadn’t this been done before – She then informed me that two lines couldn’t be used for diverting. I said how come this hadn’t been communicated before to me?

When I spoke to you Nicolene about this e-mail I had said to you I was in mourning and would reply to this e-mail much later. Was Chantal involved in this Dealership because I had told no– one? except you Professor D. Professor you had asked me not to say anything. However, as all the others were in cahoots - Pam must have told them, I saw her often sitting in Kevin’s office too. I had to put up with a lot of aggression, especially from you Bill and Chantal. Kevin I tried to encourage.

We have had no Manager at the Academy these past few months, Bill you have been appointed in charge. No matter what I do, whether I phone upstairs, email you or verbally communicate with you It is not good enough. Comments : I receive, we are having our Lunch. Etc. Please don’t let the Phone ring more than twice, or you would be outside having a smoke break. Never a thank you, XXXXX XXXXX always a problem. You and Chantal cannot communicate properly even to one another. I speak to you and then the other doesn’t know. Trying to discredit me all the time, saying I don’t listen. No Bill in your outbursts you cannot remember what you say.

You have continually directed your anger, aggression towards me. I sent a letter to you Professor you asked me to: When you were last down you had also come into my office and told me how embarrassed you were that I had to put up with all this aggression and their rudeness. You thanked me for my loyalty. What I would like to say here and now, I am tired of being told you are a Christian, Ignore them and carry on. This behaviour is unacceptable in the workplace. There is a Code of Conduct automatically in place through the Department of Labour.

Special Incidents recently that stick out are:

LIGHTS - ELECTRICITY & WATER – UNNECESSARY WASTE

SHE- Rey Groenewald : I was appointed to handle the She for downstairs this year. Previously I did both upstairs and downstairs. My requests for all outside lights to be switched off: ignored.

DOWNSTAIRS : I switch the downstairs ones off from a switch in my office and on when I leave I switch them on.

UPSTAIRS : Always on ; I have informed you both of this. We also don’t need all the lights on upstairs in the Lecture rooms at night. The outside lights upstairs are constantly on.

Professor you insisted that the Back door should remain locked until we were all here.

The back door to remain locked until we arrive. Bill as you get here at 6:15am with Chantal the Kitchen lights, Pam’s old office some mornings, the passage lights etc were always on. 9 Lights – it costs money. I mentioned this to Pam too. This was ignored for some time. Our Bill yesterday (23.10.12) R8000.00 something. You said to me it is also because of interest X 12 = R96 000.00 per annum.

I would come in to find our sugar container low, toilet Rolls missing, the men’s Toilet in a mess in the passage – someone had messed the floor, yet it was fine the previous evening.( This was not after a Cad evening class) I have monitored the four Toilets and Bathrooms downstairs daily since Pearl has left, putting disinfection in ,also supplying the outside Toilet for Security Staff, , ensuring the Kitchen was clean, because of our AutoCad clients, until the 2^nd October, when Patricia came.

UPSTAIRS : Chantal had one bathroom and toilet to monitor. Always dramas about this.

WATER ACCOUNT :

Fran from Head Office phoned said our Account was way above theirs. I spoke to you about this- Bill we have had the Plumber here twice: Beginning of Oct (4^th) and last week on Thursday,11^th When the Plumber came to check something about the piping as he was about to go Thulani asked him whether their toilet was fixed. The Plumber came back in Fixed the toilet and told me that our Water Bill must have been very high. I phoned you and said Thulani said as Michael is staying on the property and you are always chatting with Michael he thought you knew about this. Michael stays on the Property. We paid the Plumber R1005.00 for this repair. The pipe was old but the waste of water was unnecessary. Pam inspected the outer rooms before the inspection. When I saw Michael I asked him why he had not told you?.

CAR WASH -BUCKET TO BE USED

I had asked Pam and also told Michael when he washed Pam’s car, Your Car and Chantal’s husband’s car to use a bucket. Otherwise water is wasted.

SECURITY DOWNSTAIRS

Thulani had been given off by you Bill, this was not reported to me, when I saw Chantal I asked her she said :”oh he had to go and see to his Electricity at Home, and when I spoke to you about why we weren’t informed – you got cross and said you had forgotten to tell me. You forget too Bill. I am still not happy – Thulani should have a panic button – we used to have one for Security – where is it? I had asked Pam too about this. Michael said he needs it over the weekends.

MEALS AUTOCAD –

Last Thursday Chantal was not here, I had to help Patricia with calls (You had said not to put any calls through to you until 10.30am) which we did. I took messages, gave them the [email protected] to request the information they require.

I had walk ins on AutoCad calls re: calls re Profile Assessments to come later, I answered queries re: our Website some to come back to us later, tried to sort out Karl Chetty to come and see David, I received Statements from Dawn and Kaanita on Wednesday some were incorrect, I mailed some, Etc. Paid the Plumber in the afternoon. It was supposed to be my afternoon off however I left here at about 16.15pm. Never took it. I told you this. Patricia is still not too sure of our courses. So I had interruptions. I had forgotten to do the meals (3 Meals only for the AutoCad I have phoned and apologised ) This was the first time in 6 years. Take aways are quick could David not have asked for 3 quick meals? No, you told me you had to go down and sort it out. Do you not delegate? David knows the routine, he is known to everyone. He could have rectified the matter. I forgot so did you above. But your behaviour here in my office on Monday 15^th was outrageous, banging the Counter with your fist telling me I don’t do my Academy work and I must see and do it. Then you stormed out.

ABUSIVE AGGRESSIVE & VICIOUS ATTACKS ON ME: Kevin had overhead you on different occasions ( I have noted them} and said I don’t have to put up with them. You Professor also told me this too. Chantal often reports incorrectly to you and I believe she causes you to get upset.

TUESDAY 2^ND OCTOBER: I was summoned into Pam’s old office by you and Chantal. ( The Day Patricia started working here )You wanted to report that Chantal had to do damage Control on Jodi MC Cabe due to me. I asked what damage control: Oh she was upset and confused by what I said to her Mother on Monday the day before. I said I beg your pardon Mrs. MCCabe phoned in, your lines were busy I asked her if I could assist and help her, or give you a message. She said Margi I am sure you could help - how would we go about next year if Jodi wants to continue with her Second year?. I told her that they would have to complete another Enrolment Form, and I was sure that Bill and Chantal would tell the Students the correct procedure. You then said I don’t know why Chantal is here - My next question to you both was – I can’t believe it – what damage control was necessary for that response - I then got up and told you both I had enough of all the dramas caused by you both and I was going to resign and speak to Head office.

I phoned Head Office and Nicolene was unavailable, Professor D your Cell was on answering mode.

Well the change in the two of you, Chantal telling Patricia while I was standing at the Photocopier so I could hear, raising her voice making sure I would hear - Patricia Margi does the Fees ? If you need cleaning equipment etc you must ask Margi .............. You too Bill you could see I was angry ...... Margi this and that ............speaking nicely suddenly. Why can’t this be a normal office environment with colleagues behaving properly, speaking nicely to one another, treating each other with respect? I refer to the Employment act. I am now demanding an apology from both

you Bill and Chantal. The mis quotes the contradictions – discussions are raised, and then later

contradicted.My AutoCad Figure so far is R220 900.00 for the year so far. Yet Johannesburg around the Academy has a large Industrial area to be tapped into. You also asked me to help with Cape Town,and recently with Johannesburg AutoCad etc. I helped to bring in overdue Fees for all Regions in June.

I have hardly had a proper advertising budget – I was told yesterday I must wait. There will be no Part time course next week unless I can get more clients. I have re-emailed all my phone ins.

We have a month and a half left of this year. I was hoping to reach R300 000.00.

I know I beat Johannesburg, with my AutoCad Figures - You and others at Head Office have told me. I have tried telling Minnie what to do. So my work is up to par.

I know I am successful with AutoCad, because I listen and try to save time and get back to my clients soonest. I also know that some of the Enrolments for next year were due to my enlightenment of our course with their parents, when the Students came to the Academy for the Profile Test. I have also brought in students from the schools. I have endeavoured to Market the Academy where ever I can.

Nicolene in reply to your do I want special treatment - I don’t want special treatment – I just want decent civil behaviour here from Bill and Chantal - imagine what the students must think. The clients as well. I have had enough of all the aggression.

MONDAY 15^th OCTOBER

But the way you came into my Office here on Monday Bill after we had to contact upstairs re: the air conditioning Company coming to service the Air conditioners - I asked Chantal about it as I didn’t want them doing anything we couldn’t pay for: She said you had arranged it.

You came to my office and after sending them off blasted me: about the meals and that I do very little here at this Academy, and I had better see and do my work – I said I beg your pardon I had been doing all the Statistical Forms for 58 AutoCad students, the week before, extracting all the information for Rey last week and with all the interruptions and calls had forgotten the Cad meals (first time in 6 years).

Your outbursts are uncontrolled and half the time you cannot remember what you say - you never gave me a chance. Last week I alone had to work and extract from 58 AutoCad CV’s all the Qualifications, there ages, etc I completed everything before I went away working late - I also waited on Rey to come back to me re the completion of the forms.

You and Chantal had approached Pam du Toit, even although it was said on the speaker Phone meeting between us that no-one e.g . staff who had left the Academy was permitted to come back on to the premises.

KEYS FOR AUTOCAD ROOM -

After my speaker phone Call with Professor, Nicolene & you it was made clear that when a person (staff) leaves the Academy, they were not permitted on the premises again. Yet Pam du Toit came on the premises and when I told you she was here, you said it was on your invitation.

I had told you Kevin had handed over his Keys which were locked in my Cabinet, I had told you this. You had gone out when he left. You never asked for the keys then but came later for them. I gave them to you.

Sorry Bill, your constant - don’t do this – you must let the phone only ring three times. I must not use dbn email - yet this is on all your information which is given to the clients. I told you this. And

So it goes on................all the time............ Is this not victimization? Surely with the above report I must be doing something right. I would never reach those figures if I was doing nothing and if I was negative. I too have had to carry a double load, in answering the phone sifting out the calls to find out what the client wants - there is never a thank you from either of you.............Are you the only two staff who work here?.

On 25^th July : A parent came to fetch his son’s N4 N5 Certificate – It was not at Reception in the Cupboard (Mr. Altenburger) where we normally keep them. I phoned upstairs and asked Chantal.

I then decided to meet you half way upstairs and you took off at me : You are hardly back and you are causing trouble on top of your voice (the parent was sitting outside at reception). I was supposed to have shouted at Chantal. Please, Please ........with a parent standing next to me. Grant me some common sense. I said to you that you needed to speak to Chantal about this and ask her why she said whatever she did to cause this outburst of yours. I had told Kevin this.

Quite honestly, I have been told by you Professor, you are the Christian smile and pretend it doesn’t affect you, I have reported to you Nicolene and you had said do I want special treatment. I said no all I ask for is decent behaviour to be administered before clients and students etc. in the

Work place. There is a Code of Conduct by law in place automatically.

Bill , you and Chantal never ever asked Kevin and I if we needed any stationery. When Chantal was ordering envelopes I had asked Chantal to please get some window Envelopes as I needed them

for Statements – she never did (you both order regularly with Eagle Stationers ) eventually I bought them. However, two weeks agao when Chantal walked with Patricia to Waltons, she finally bought me these when she came and asked me what I needed – first time in 6 months.

Are we not considered Staff? Or is it only you and Chantal who work here?

COMPUTERS

Len Naidu from Compusol Consulting told me himself our computers are outdated and even if upgraded couldn’t hold the new programmes especially for AutoCad 3D etc. Kevin had told Pam this too. Len said there were no viruses - our computers are not coping with the AutoCad 3D programme. He also Informed you Bill. Kevin had repeatedly phoned Head Office last year, Pam knew about this e.g. Sizwe, then you Nicolene and Barend etc re the Autodesk Test he had to do.

Pam had told us in our meeting that she also requested new computers for the Cad Room.

My complaint is I am not prepared to come to work any longer and put up with your outbursts, and the way you and Chantal are trying so hard to discredit me. I work hard, I have been doing my archiving also, I am trying to market AutoCad in between. If workmen are coming on site – or people to give quotes, then please ensure they come after 11:00am as our students seem to leave sometimes between 11:15am and sometime before 12:00 noon. This would eliminate problems as surely when you are lecturing there should be no interruptions.

I do communicate Bill per e-mail, verbally etc to you. I have made every effort in working with you. I worked late many evenings and especially with AutoCad . I believe we need to have two separate extensions upstairs as sometimes your lines are engaged over half and hour and very often Parents or Students need to speak to you. It saves on calls to. The Register is never signed properly .

RECENT VISIT

I heard you were coming down and thought I would get an opportunity to speak to you all. But in the Restaurant I noticed Nicolene you were having a chat with Bill and Chantal in the smoking area for quite a long time. I am sure you were in a discussion about me because you came back to the Table and said “ Margi you must make an effort to get along with Bill.”

There are two sides to every story Nicolene, you always are in a hurry and never return my calls.

I hardly phone you.I had shown you my outstanding Figures for fees when you came through to my office and I had said to you I was not happy with Bills constant picking on me. However, we never got the chance of a meeting.

I am not a negative person because if I was, I would have folded up many months ago. I have sought advice and been told - what is management doing about this? Your comment to me last time was you must sort it out – no Nicolene I believe I have tried, and I have told you Bill I took

Umbrage to the way you speak to me, it is hurtful and embarrassing.

I believe that even here with Patricia I have bent over backwards to help her, I wrote out a Blib for

her when she answers the Phone. You said Chantal was to train her, yet she is sitting there doing nothing once she has finished her cleaning. The Old Turnkey Office has heaps of files to be archived. The phone has been quiet of late.

I believe we are all adults and that the behaviour should be condusive to proper office Code of Conduct. I am also tired of the way I am discredited.

I will have no recourse but to take this matter further and I feel I have tried my best at resolving issues but I find this continual harassment and aggression directed towards me as being totally

unfair and uncalled for. Nicolene as I said there are two sides to every story. You have never asked me for my side, and as National Manager I believe that would be fair. Yours sincerely,

________________________________________________________

This is my letter I want to send to her?

Dear Margi,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your report send to Mr D, Bill and I dated 18.10.2012. I would like to thank you for all your hard work you have done with school visits, collecting money for the Durban branch, assistance with collection of money for other branches and your Autodesk Marketing.

Management at head office is in a very difficult situation with the ongoing dispute between yourself and the Durban branch staff and management, we had telephone conference calls, 2 branch visits to defuse the situation but with no luck. I am referring to your letters and complaints in connection with;

1. Air Conditioning Company not reported to you

2. Private work of ex employees

3. Ex employees collecting domestic workers at the Durban Branch

4. You feel nothing you do is good enough

5. Accusing the Branch Manager of being aggressive

6. Unnecessary waste of Electricity & water

7. Water wastage

8. Wasting water whilst washing vehicles

9. The branch manager not reporting to you when giving an employee off

10. You & XXXXX XXXXXdling calls when staff member is absent

11. Damage control against you icw. Parent

12. Your Autodesk figure to date +/- R 18, 408.33 pm (R 220, 900.00)

13. You advertising budget not to you satisfaction

14. I stating to you, do you want special treatment (I cannot remember in what context or discussion this was said)

15. Forgetting to order Autodesk meals due to overload of work

16. Uncontrolled outburst by branch manager

17. Ex employee, assisting Chantal with EMIS report

18. Keys for Autodesk Room

19. To let the phone ring three times to lecture room

20. 25

th of July insident – you causing problems (said by Bill – The branch Manager)

21. Not happy with assistance from the Professor with your complaints

22. Not happy with assistance from myself with your complaints

23. Not asked if you need stationary

24. Not getting window envelopes from Chantal

25. Autodesk computer outdated

26. Appointments made with Branch Manager must be made after 11 am

Margi with our resent visit to the Academy was not to discuss you with your fellow staff members, but to sort out the new staff members, and it was a courtesy call to the branch because we were under the impression that things are running smoothly now and all differences where sorted out among yourself as requested by Head office.

To our disappointment it is not, as it clearly reflect in your letter, In all honesty there has not been one complaint from your Branch Manager or any other staff member from your branch.

After reviewing your letter and discussed it with Mr D, we have decided to request you to go on a paid week "cool off period" so that head office can assess the situation at the branch and to make the right decision on the complaints raised by yourself. We are calling help in from an independent HR firm to assist us in this situation. The "cool down" period will end on Monday the 5th of November 2012. Further arrangements on actions will be addressed to your Branch Manager and yourself.

I hope you find the above in order, please let me know should you have any queries.

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