It is perhaps the worst time in recent history for UNC to be throwing money at a problem that could just as easily be solved internally.
Though there are some merits to having an objective third party, Chancellor Holden Thorp’s decision to hire external consultants in order to resolve a dispute between the administration and UNC housekeepers looks like a perfect example of executive shirking and wasteful spending.
Thorp could and should resolve this issue in conjunction with his employees and should do his best to find a fair and balanced solution to this complicated problem.
UNC housekeeping workers have filed formal complaints surrounding the Wage-Hour Policy. Workers complained they were being unfairly punished for taking breaks without prior approval from supervisors.
UNC administrators are worried that any kind of resolution offered by them will be tainted and appear one-sided. Thorp has stressed that bringing in outside consultation will make the process fair and that the opinions and assertions of both sides will be able to be fully disclosed.
Thorp also said that investing money and time into this issue proves the seriousness with which the administration is handling it.
But by bringing in consultants, the University is shirking the responsibility it has to its workers to solve the problem swiftly and fairly. It is sending a signal that it is incapacitated to resolve the issue without outside help. And during a time of budget cuts, this is a wasteful expenditure.
Housekeeping workers have every right to voice their complaints as do administrators. But there is a reason that we have a human resources department.
Resources would be better allocated to solving the issue internally rather than shifting the responsibility onto outside consultants.
