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EQC accused of 'jobs for boys'

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Wed, 07 Dec 2011 8:11a.m.

The Press also reported a number of contractors employed by the EQC this year as field staff who have "colourful backgrounds"

The Press also reported a number of contractors employed by the EQC this year as field staff who have "colourful backgrounds"

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) is not responding to claims by a former employee it is dishing out highly-paid "jobs for the boys and girls".

Assessor Nikki Kettle, daughter of EQC claims manager Gail Kettle, earns $75 an hour, or $180,000 a year plus allowances of up to $24,000, has landed one of the sought-after assessing jobs next year, which pays a lesser rate of $55 an hour, The Press reported.

EQC also employs 19-year-old Zac Stiven as an assessor, and he is the son of EQC Canterbury events manager Reid Stiven, while Matt Searle, the son of senior manager Barry Searle, is employed as an estimator.

Assessors are chosen for their communication skills not building knowledge and EQC is trimming its 500 assessors and estimators down to a team of 100 next year.

It is not known whether Matt Searle and Zac Stiven have secured any of those positions for next year. The commission has previously said the men won their positions on their merits.

"It looks very much like jobs for the boys and girls," said a former EQC staff member, who is now looking for a job and asked not to be named.

EQC chief executive Ian Simpson told the paper he would not discuss individual circumstances while going through a recruitment process.

EQC has a conflict-of-interest policy that ensured impartiality on recruitment decisions.

The Press also reported a number of contractors employed by the EQC this year as field staff who have "colourful backgrounds", with chequered histories of building projects and failed property developments.

NZN

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Comments

10 Dec 2011 02:55p.m.

ken wrote:

This is the same old thing, govt agencies (here the eqc) with no business accountability (because the govt is not a business) being put in charge of other people's money. So why we are all surprised and aghast is one of those eternal questions that will never go away. This sort of thing goes on all over the world in all sorts of govt bodies all the time and I'm afraid it always will. Are the assessors overpaid? Of course they are. How much was paid to the Aussie agency that supplied so many of these assessors? A topic not yet discussed but that cost needs to be added to the $75/hour. Are the assessors up to the job? This varies-some are, some are not, but to an extent that is to be expected in any operation of this size. However, the high percentage of duds is concerning-I'd say roughly 50% are useless, and that includes the buiding inspector who accompanies the main HR assessor. I have given up expecting anything from these people. I sometimes tell them what the damage is and if they look bemused and scope incorrectly I get it changed later. This is time consuming and not too easy to do though so I try to get them to do it right the first time. It is amazing just how ignorant the assessors and builder/costers are sometimes. Nepotism? I cannot comment on that but it would not surprise me. We should all be aware that the EQC assessment (scope of works) can and often is altered by the later Fletchers scope which is carried out by the guys actually doing the repair work. A topic not discussed yet is the way the whole plan of attack for the entire scoping project is carried out, which is flawed and is not the responsibility of the assessors who are just following the plan given to them by their bosses at the eqc. This storyline (the EQC Scopes) has a long way to run if TV3 wanted to loosen the rein.

10 Dec 2011 12:08a.m.

Christian Ende wrote:

How low can you get? Corruption world-wide seems to be what makes capitalist economy work, right? Christian Germany

09 Dec 2011 11:49a.m.

rob wrote:

I happen to know one of the employee, in question. He is a daddy's boy and has everything handed to him on a platter. Boy's high qualifications must be enough to get a job paying so highly without life experience or proper work skills. It's a disgrace, i hope this is investigated thoroughly so the people of Christchurch and New Zealand get a true assessment of where our tax dollars are going

09 Dec 2011 11:49a.m.

rob wrote:

I happen to know one of the employee, in question. He is a daddy's boy and has everything handed to him on a platter. Boy's high qualifications must be enough to get a job paying so highly without life experience or proper work skills. It's a disgrace, i hope this is investigated thoroughly so the people of Christchurch and New Zealand get a true assessment of where our tax dollars are going

08 Dec 2011 11:08p.m.

Observer wrote:

Wow! This is unbelievable! Well, if they were employed for their 'communication' skills, I would expect they are all qualified with a Bachelor of Communication from a reputable university plus have had a few years experience with top-notch references; (plus a few Maori employed at this $ rate also in recognition of our Treaty obligations). Go John Campbell and get to the bottom of this ... were these positions advertised outside and if so, I suspect it's a case like that which can, on occasion,occur within schools - although the job is advertised, the successful applicant has already been chosen (like a reliever for instance) - advertising is just a formality!!

07 Dec 2011 07:41p.m.

Jo wrote:

Why these assessors need to be paid so much I can't comprehend, but is something only EQC executive's can explain and be accountable for. My home required 3 assessments (Sept 2010, Feb & June 2011) and most of the assessors were from Australia or the North Island. These guys were not so empathetic and their hastiness left me feeling like they were on a commission! Every time I questioned anything,I was told everything will level out or re-aline itself once the foundations & piles were redone. Really? So miracles do happen do they? Come on EQC - these outrageous rates paid out to greedy and generally non-qualified assessors, and to the EQC management - is just a slap in the face! Wot if there's another (something none of us Cantabrians woud wish for at all,) major Earthquake in another large city of New Zealand? What will be left in the kitty to help them? Go figure..............

07 Dec 2011 06:11p.m.

Rohith wrote:

what a joke! i have never seen more than 16/hour and have worked in fast food and now working in retail,All while studying (3 days at uni and 4 days at work). After all that these guys make what i make a fortnight(after working 8 days) in one day. A joke! why wasnt this brought to any ones attention before!

07 Dec 2011 01:26p.m.

kiwi wrote:

And why do they have to use Corporate Cabs. Backhanders!!!!!!!!!!!!

07 Dec 2011 09:47a.m.

kiwi wrote:

Yes and this is just the begining. The Asst HR Manager down there should be very concerned indeed. From what a few of them have told me they are going to "sing like canaries" when it is time.

07 Dec 2011 09:32a.m.

Max wrote:

Living in Christchurch and seeing whats going on its hard to not think some people are being way over paid and making a killing out the of the whole affair.