1.   Why did you choose to work in Bermuda?
My wife got a job offer from Bermuda Hospital Board, and she took it (Which turned out to be a touch decision for her, working wise) and i followed.  I managed to get a job in my field so i hit the lottery on that.  When you are a foreigner in Bermuda that doesn't have a job lined up the pickin's are REAL slim.

2. Was advice given about Bermuda by your recruiter/employer accurate?
well since i didn't have one, we'll have to use my wife's.  And bold face lies would be the proper term.

3. Was Bermuda your first overseas job?
yes

4. Did the experience live up to your expectations?
Overall it did.  We came down to pay our school fees and that's exactly what we did.

5. Did you live in a pink house?
My wife says it's a "rusty clay" colour.  I'm a guy so all i see is off orange lol.

6. How long did your work permit take to be processed & how would you rate the overall service of the immigration department?
6 months the first time. and the renewal took close to 9.  the immigration department is a freakin joke all the way up and down.

7. What is your primary reason for leaving?
CCjr.  i'm not paying extortionate prices for sub standard day care, plain and simple.  That and the fact that our families said they were coming to get the child if we didn't comply lol.

8. What would you change about your job?
i wouldn't change anything about my job.  I lucked out big time.  I wasn't making exempt company money but it was enough.  I managed to get in with a GREAT bunch of people.  I was the only expat (for most of my stay) and it was hard to say goodbye. 

My wife on the other hand...if she was a member i'm sure she'd have a bit to say...about the job, not the people.

9. Do you feel any guilt at having caused high rents, traffic problems, teen pregnancies, expensive drinks and the downfall of Bermudian civilization?
I lived in a box (no seriously it was a four walls and a roof, that's it!),  we only got a car when the little one came(for obvious reasons), i didn't know any teenagers, i rarely went to the bar, and the downfall of Bermudian civilization is a local phenomenon.

10. Did your job duties turn out to be as you expected?
no.  They evolved over time, in a good way.  I worked closely with high ranking officials and was pretty much working within the system for EVERY environmental issue that Bermuda has faced over the last 4 years.

11. Did you receive enough training to do your job effectively?
No.  My predecessors were lacking in intelligence...hence why i got a job in the first place.  I (along with a couple other intelligent people) had to redefine my role with the company.  In the end we all did a spectacular job.

12. Speaking of bathrooms, did they have doors or were you expected to answer the call of nature while various tradespeople walked by and waved?

wow.  I can say that nothing like that ever happened, thank goodness.  We had doors lol.

13. Did you receive adequate support and equipment to do your job?
yes.  I had the pleasure of working for the best boss i've ever known and will probably ever know.   Always supportive and if we didn't have the equipment he made sure we made due till he could get it.

14. Were you satisfied with this company's merit review process?
yes.  it was a lay back company.  We got the job done and we were never pressured (unnecessarily) to do anything out of the ordinary.

15. Do you still have road rash scars?
no.  We thought about getting a bike (for about 2 hours).  But then there were two accidents, one resulting in death and we came to our senses.  Bermuda and bikes is not for expats and tourists.

16. Did this company help you to fulfil your career goals? If yes, were your career goals to be treated as an unwelcome intrusion and expected to make good the incompetence of lazy co-workers?
yes.  And I was treated with respect and as an equal.  We had some lazy and incompetent workers, but that comes with any job in any country.  They didn't last long.

17. Do you have any tips to help us find your replacement?
my replacement has already been found, ironically he's Canadian too.

18. What would you improve to make our workplace better?
Bermuda as a whole needs to come to grips with it's own inner turmoil before it can successfully tackle it's local vs. expat problem.  A balance needs to be maintained.  Right now it's so out of whack that there's no definite answer.

19. Were you happy with your pay, benefits and other incentives?
yes.  it could've been more but i didn't get into the job for the pay.  I was in it cuz i took satisfaction with helping keep Bermuda clean and safe for future generations.  That and the fact that i went to school for what i was doing.

20. What was the quality of the supervision you received?
We didn't really have a need for supervision.  It was the owner/boss (one man) on the front lines and working with us.  In fact there was no one that worked harder then him.  He has my utmost respect, he was the example to which we all tried to work by.  He let us do our job cuz he knew we could.  He never stood over us or cracked any whips.

21. Could your boss claim diminished responsibility or insanity as a defence against their management style?
I've answered this question in previous responses.

22. Did any company policies or procedures (or any other obstacles) make your job more difficult?
Yes the GOVERNMENT!!!!

23. Would you consider working again for this company/in Bermuda in the future?
If working in Bermuda again was an option i would definitely work for this company again.

24. Would you recommend working for this company to your family and friends? How about that weird cousin you don’t like much?
Yes. Although my weird cousin wouldn't get a call from me so that's out of the question.

25. Did anyone in this company discriminate against you, harass you or cause hostile working conditions?
no not really.  We had some bad workers with outlandish beliefs but i never had any REAL problems with them.

26. How about random strangers?
The stories are long and many.  Maybe in another thread. 

27. If you could travel back in time, would you still make the decision to come and work in Bermuda?
Definitely.  Overall it was a positive experience.  Their's pros and cons to any place, and we'll always have a special place for Bermuda.

28. What advice would you give anyone considering working as an expat in Bermuda?
Read the fine print, try to prepare for the unexpected, Patience is key, and most importanly "when in Rome..."

29. Did you remember to say good morning/afternoon to every single person you encountered, every single day, even if they were strangers you happened to pass on the road when riding your moped?
I did my best.  and i have to say that little things like this are what i'll remember most about Bermuda.  if the rest of the world could take the time to be that polite (only if it was genuine though).

30. Will you now return to the miserable third world country you came from, where you can?t get a decent job and earn a pittance (UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia)?
I'm back in my Third World Canada, where i'm surrounded by family, friends, and more options then time to do them....i think i'll be alright.

31. Any other comments?
Bermuda IS another world.  Atleast from where i'm from.  It was a great run for us.  We had to put up with stuff that sucked, but that will happen anywhere.  Were we pissed? of course, are we bitter? no.  We've met great people, made some lifelong friends, had some great times, and will keep some amazing memories.  And to top it all off we have an new healthy, beautiful addition to our family.  Bermuda will always be in our hearts and it will never be forgotten.  I know it's not always positive for most, but it was for us.  We'll be back to visit, but i can honestly say that we won't be working there again.  With a little work, and some "open mindedness" it could be a great place for everyone, how to achieve this will be discussed in later threads. 

I'm done with this interview.

Thanks Bermuda....for everything.

CC

Thanks, Cap'n.

I'm glad to hear from you.  You've been in our thoughts a lot lately.   

Good work on the Exit Interview.  You were lucky with your job.  That can make all the difference to your time in Bermuda.

Once you get settled in, I'd love to hear from your wife about the problems she had with the Hospitals Board and if she has any suggestions.

Sounds like your time here was generally good [your wife's not quite so].  In any case, enjoy Canada.  There's a lot to be said for it.

Thanks guys.  I'll talk to my wife but seeing as she still has friends within the system that she wouldn't want to get into any trouble she may just keep it a close deal.  I might be able to throw out some snippets just to let you know what happened.

Needless to say that any organization that forces it's employees to stay out of the media can't be doing it for good reasons.

CC

The situation at KEMH is extremely political as evidenced by this timeline.  Most telling is this comment from the Ombudsman:

I don't know about the individual you're refering to but the big difference is that the "powerful black doctor" either couldn't or wouldn't pass the exams. 

We are settling in nicely.  It was good to come when we did so that acclimating wouldn't be so difficult.  I've finally got an online connection of my own so "sucking" is easier.  the Trip out of Bermuda is a story in itself...i'll definitely have to make a thread about that.  Thanks for asking.

So how are you guy's doing?  Adjusting to the sleep deprivation?

CC