Alice Secka, acting Human Resources Manager at Ocean Bay
Hotel, was on 5 November 2012 taken to task by way of cross-examination by
Garba Cham, Secretary General of the Gambia Workers’ Union, who was
representing Fanta Sanneh, who sued Ocean Bay Hotel at the Kanifing Industrial
Tribunal for wrongful dismissal.
Under cross-examination, Alice Secka told the tribunal that the complaint against Fanta Sanneh, the plaintiff, was about theft.
She was asked whether all theft cases that were complained happened in rooms which the plaintiff was responsible for and aligned with a mini bar keeper.
She answered that not all theft cases in the hotel happened in Fanta’s room.
Garba Cham asked her whether it was correct that receptionists had access to the rooms, and that they handled all keys.
She replied that it happened when keys were faulty, and that rooms were opened in the presence of witnesses.
Asked which department teaches guests how to open safes, she responded that it was the Front Office Department.
She was asked when keys got lost, which department was responsible to open the safe. She replied that it was the Front Office and Security Department.
“Have you ever reported theft cases to the police?” Garba asked her.
“This is not to my knowledge,” she answered.
She was asked how many theft cases happened since the plaintiff started work with the hotel. In response, she said they were countless.
“How many blocks has Fanta worked in the hotel?” asked Garba.
“I cannot tell,” Alice Secka replied.
“Do you have a theft case record book in the hotel?” enquired Garba.
“Yes, we have,” she answered.
“Which department handles this book?” Garba asked.
“It is the Security Department,” she said.
“Is it the only Security Department that handles theft cases,” Garba wanted to know.
“Yes,” she replied.
“I put it to you that the housekeeping and Front Office also handle theft cases,” challenged Garba.
“It is not to my knowledge,” Alice said, adding that they could do it for their records, and that all theft cases were treated confidentially.
“Was the supervisor also moved from her department, as a supervisor?” Garba asked.
“No,” she answered.
“What about all the Front Office Department staff who were responsible for all the rooms with the safes?” Garba questioned.
“No,” she said.
“Can you produce records for 2010 and 2011 theft cases?” asked Garba.
“I will do that during the next sitting,” Alice told the tribunal.
“Do you know how long the plaintiff had worked for the hotel?” inquired Garba.
“I don’t know,” she replied.
“During 8 years of service, has the plaintiff ever got a warning letter?” questioned Garba.
“No,” Alice said.
“Have you provided the plaintiff the service rules of the hotel?” Garba asked.
“No, we lecture them on the rules of the hotel,” she responded.
“I put it to you that a copy should be provided to each employee,” said Garba.
“I don’t deny it,” Alice stated.
The case at this juncture was adjourned to 21 November 2012, for continuation.
Panelists Cole and Njie assisted Magistrate Dawda Jallow, who presided over the case.
Lawyer Anna Njie represented Ocean Bay Hotel.
