Delegates at the annual conference of the Cayman Islands Society of Human Resource Professionals (CISHRP) were told that better HR planning would be needed as a result of work permit term limits, or the rollover policy as it is commonly called.

Keynote speaker, Doug Soares, a management consultant from Bermuda spoke on the topic “Work Permit Term Limits: Can Cayman learn from the Bermuda experience?”

He stressed the need for HR managers to not only make provision for succession planning but to take account of sourcing staff from the global market, particularly where posts were not recognised for key employee status and where they may not be easily filled by local talent.

The conference held on Wednesday, 14 May at the Marriott Beach Resort on Seven Mile Beach, attracted delegates from over 40 sectors in the business community, who heard presentations on topics based on the theme ‘HR in times of change’.

“The theme is very relevant to the HR professional’s role,” said conference chairperson, Samantha Bennett. She added that the response to this year’s conference “was huge compared to previous years,” and that with 120 registered delegates this was the largest conference the CISHRP had held since its inception.

Quoting from his country’s policy on term limits, Mr Soares explained that they were introduced “to discourage the expectation that work permit approval is tantamount to permanent residence rights in Bermuda”.

He pointed out that the framework governing work permits in both countries differed as legislation was used in the Cayman Islands and policy in Bermuda.

With high income jobs requiring at least a first degree and only one in three Bermudans meeting that criterion, Mr Soares said his country’s education system was failing the locals and needed improving to increase the chances of local people being able to apply for top jobs.

He added that other consequence of term limits were that “expats are feeling less valued and xenophobia is on the rise”.

Contrary to what some thought may have happened, Mr Soares said there had not been an exodus of foreign labour or a loss of international business in Bermuda since the introduction of the work permits in 2001. Nevertheless, the policy had achieved the goal of reducing the number of foreigners who could become long term residents on the island.

During his opening address the Minister of Employment, Hon Alden McLaughlin, acknowledged that change can be a challenge for any organisation and said changing environments made learning a lifelong process.

Speakers representing a cross-section of private and public organisations delivered presentations on a range of topics that included pay for performance, change management, smart hiring, HR reform within the Cayman Islands civil service, and engaging employees in times of challenge.

Amongst those delivering presentations was Walling Whittaker, Head of Human Resources at HSBC Financial Services (Cayman) Ltd, and Mary Rodrigues, Chief Officer Designate, Portfolio of the Civil Service.