Letters to the Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group

It is probably an appropriate time to publish a couple of emails I sent to the Chairman of the Emirates Group.  Given recent events, I would not want anyone to think that bullying by management in the Emirates Group is a new problem.    

This one was sent on 2 June 2013 and was copied to others, including the (then) Vice Chairman and also to the President of Emirates Airline.  I have no idea if the email managed to evade the filters put in place by Patrick Naef, but I do know that I did not receive a response.  As I make clear in the email itself, my communication was triggered solely by requests from Emirates Group IT staff.  It is reproduced here as it was sent . . .

Sir

I have been asked by beleaguered staff in your Information Technology department to write to you about their plight.

There have been numerous scandals around the world in recent times.  Interest rate manipulation, whole scale bribery, drug use at the highest levels in sport and telephone hacking are just a few examples.

People are naturally asking how on earth could things like this happen without the knowledge of those at the top.  I understand the question but, having worked in Dnata for over four years, realise that it can happen.  Even in a large, and seemingly highly accountable organisation, it is relatively easy for just a few individuals, perhaps just one, to keep the lid on practices which hundreds of staff feel are not only abhorrent, but also unethical.  The process is simple - mis-information upwards, fear downwards.

I used to believe that Patrick Naef had managed to keep all the horrors of the workings of his department away from Gary Chapman, with the help of the pliant Nigel Hopkins.  But I have since given Gary Chapman enough information (I understand others have too) and I now feel that he should be aware of what has happened and is currently happening.  But are you?

I also feel that, due to Gary Chapman’s actions or inactions, he must be happy with the way staff are treated and how business is conducted (both internally and externally).  I would be surprised if you would be.

I have a folder of messages from your staff complaining about all aspects of life in your Information Technology department. I appreciate that you are very busy, so I will quote (almost) verbatim from just three of them to provide a flavour.

 
“These guys who screw up millions of dollars of projects in the name of IT are poured with undeserved promotions.”

"Bullying by management is part of everyday life."

“We think A and B took kick backs in Mercator Asia along with that C fellow.” 

The only change I have made to these quotations is the removal of names from the last one.  If the allegation is untrue - and one certainly hopes it is - I would not wish to libel those individuals.  But I think you should be aware that A and B are very senior people in the Dnata organisation.  I think it is shocking that staff have such views of their leaders.

I urge you to ask someone (who is totally independent) to take a very close look at this area.  In such a controlled (by fear) environment obtaining the truth is very difficult, but I believe essential.  If there is anything I can do to help I would be happy to do so.  I will not pretend to have much allegiance to the Emirates Group but I do still very much care for my colleagues, both in the department and across the Group.  They all deserve much better.

Patrick Naef is a master at controlling communication and my emails receive a high level of censorship.  I have to use different addresses in an attempt to bypass his controls, but they do not always work.  I have therefore copied this email to other senior members in the Group and I would ask them to ensure that this is properly delivered.  I would therefore respectfully request that you ask someone to acknowledge receipt of this email. 

Please do not allow Gary Chapman to continue to dismiss me as ‘just a disgruntled employee’ - I doubt if he even believes that himself now.  Please be aware that I have written to you because your staff asked me to and I have no doubt that you have their welfare at heart.

Kind regards

This one was sent on 25 December 2010 (the day before the Emirates Group broke its contract with me) and was addressed solely to the Chairman.  Again, it is reproduced as it was sent.  I did not receive a response.

Sir

With all due respect, I would urge you to have a truly independent audit carried out on Emirates Group IT (EG-IT) department.  A focus on how I was forced out of my post without any opportunity to defend myself would reveal some alarming practices.

All companies need the ‘hearts and minds’ of its staff but you do not have this in EG-IT.  Patrick Naef runs EG-IT by fear and my removal has further strengthened his approach.  I was the only member of the EG-IT Executive Team who would challenge Patrick and the result is there for all to see.  This is why an audit must be truly independent, as staff do not trust any internal departments (HR etc.) enough to give them confidence to speak out.

I had four wonderful years with Emirates, I just wish it could have been more.  I am convinced that both the company and my family would have benefited had that been the case.

I wish you and your company well.

Regards