Comment Sandia email to all employees re: Carpenter trial (Score 1) 171
This afternoon, Sandia President Tom Hunter sent the email below to all Sandia employees concerning the Shawn Carpenter trial. It is the second such email that has been sent out concerning the Carpenter trial.
The Albuquerque Journal provided extensive (daily) stories of the trial proceedings, and these internal emails fail to acknowledge even an iota of failings of Sandia management in this case. As a longtime Sandia employee, I find the disparity between the Albuquerque Journal reporting and what is being communicated to employees extremely disconcerting. In fact, I would go as far as describing this most recent email as corporate propaganda that insults the intelligence of the hard working, patriotic and dedicated employees I work with every day.
The most recent Sandia Lab News, an internal publication, did not contain one line of print about the Carpenter case. Staff in my office were both amazed and suspicous that management did not make an effort to address this. Platitudes about "we are disappointed with the verdict" and "putting the nation first" do nothing whatsoever to reassure employees that they will not be subjected to treatment similar to that apparently received by this former employee.
If a senior Sandia manager used terms such as "decapitate" and "bloody" in an interview with an employee, it is unconscionable that he is not held to the same standards that are preached in these emails. From my perspective, it is obvious that Sandia handled the termination of this employee unfairly. It seems ludicrous that Carpenter would currently hold a top secret security clearance at the State Dept. and be the lawbreaking criminal that management keeps implying in these communications to employees. Sandia employees are not ignorant, and do read publications other than those produced within Sandia.
It is apparent that the Sandia leadership did not learn anything from the events several years ago that led to the Bay Report. Despite the fact that Sandia has a huge influence on the local community, a jury of local citizens found Sandia liable, and doubled the punitive damages in their verdict to send a message. These very public situations are tough for current employees to deal with. To be frank, it is embarrassing when the topic comes up in conversations with non-Sandians.
Good leaders take responsibility for their shortcomings, acknowledge them, and then move forward to implement solutions to improve the organization. Sandia leadership continues to erode employee confidence with their meaningless emails and state of denial. Dr. Hunter needs to step up to the plate to regain his credibility within the Sandia community - preferably before employee confidence is totally gone.
Here is the text of the email that all Sandians received this afternoon:
----------------
From: Hunter, Tom
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 5:43 PM
To: SNL-ALL-SITES
Subject: Recent Media Attention
Dear Sandians,
As many of you are aware, a New Mexico state court jury awarded former Sandian Shawn Carpenter more than $4 million on February 13, 2007. The outcome of the trial was a great disappointment to me personally, but I am most concerned about any perception that the laboratory may not have acted in the best interest of the nation.
It is essential in all cases that Sandians adhere to the principle of putting the nation first. I firmly believe Sandia must always conduct its work lawfully, with appropriate authorizations, and when people step beyond clear boundaries we must act responsibly. In fact, living and acting upon our values are of the utmost importance to our continuing to have the opportunity to provide exceptional service to the nation. I and the management team are committed to these values in all we do and every decision we make.
In my career at Sandia, I have come to know Sandia as a place of exemplary character and values, earned through the exceptional conduct of its employees and the significant contributions you have all made to national security. Our values are not new. For more than 60 years, service to the nation, excellence in our conduct and work, respect for each other, integrity, and teamwork have shaped our decisions at Sandia.
In closing, I ask that each of you take a moment and reflect on the exceptional service that you render in the national interest. I have a deep respect for our employees and this organization, the values we stand for, and the commitment we all have to our mission. Our contributions, both individually and collectively, are critically important to our nation's security.
Sincerely,
Tom Hunter
The Albuquerque Journal provided extensive (daily) stories of the trial proceedings, and these internal emails fail to acknowledge even an iota of failings of Sandia management in this case. As a longtime Sandia employee, I find the disparity between the Albuquerque Journal reporting and what is being communicated to employees extremely disconcerting. In fact, I would go as far as describing this most recent email as corporate propaganda that insults the intelligence of the hard working, patriotic and dedicated employees I work with every day.
The most recent Sandia Lab News, an internal publication, did not contain one line of print about the Carpenter case. Staff in my office were both amazed and suspicous that management did not make an effort to address this. Platitudes about "we are disappointed with the verdict" and "putting the nation first" do nothing whatsoever to reassure employees that they will not be subjected to treatment similar to that apparently received by this former employee.
If a senior Sandia manager used terms such as "decapitate" and "bloody" in an interview with an employee, it is unconscionable that he is not held to the same standards that are preached in these emails. From my perspective, it is obvious that Sandia handled the termination of this employee unfairly. It seems ludicrous that Carpenter would currently hold a top secret security clearance at the State Dept. and be the lawbreaking criminal that management keeps implying in these communications to employees. Sandia employees are not ignorant, and do read publications other than those produced within Sandia.
It is apparent that the Sandia leadership did not learn anything from the events several years ago that led to the Bay Report. Despite the fact that Sandia has a huge influence on the local community, a jury of local citizens found Sandia liable, and doubled the punitive damages in their verdict to send a message. These very public situations are tough for current employees to deal with. To be frank, it is embarrassing when the topic comes up in conversations with non-Sandians.
Good leaders take responsibility for their shortcomings, acknowledge them, and then move forward to implement solutions to improve the organization. Sandia leadership continues to erode employee confidence with their meaningless emails and state of denial. Dr. Hunter needs to step up to the plate to regain his credibility within the Sandia community - preferably before employee confidence is totally gone.
Here is the text of the email that all Sandians received this afternoon:
----------------
From: Hunter, Tom
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 5:43 PM
To: SNL-ALL-SITES
Subject: Recent Media Attention
Dear Sandians,
As many of you are aware, a New Mexico state court jury awarded former Sandian Shawn Carpenter more than $4 million on February 13, 2007. The outcome of the trial was a great disappointment to me personally, but I am most concerned about any perception that the laboratory may not have acted in the best interest of the nation.
It is essential in all cases that Sandians adhere to the principle of putting the nation first. I firmly believe Sandia must always conduct its work lawfully, with appropriate authorizations, and when people step beyond clear boundaries we must act responsibly. In fact, living and acting upon our values are of the utmost importance to our continuing to have the opportunity to provide exceptional service to the nation. I and the management team are committed to these values in all we do and every decision we make.
In my career at Sandia, I have come to know Sandia as a place of exemplary character and values, earned through the exceptional conduct of its employees and the significant contributions you have all made to national security. Our values are not new. For more than 60 years, service to the nation, excellence in our conduct and work, respect for each other, integrity, and teamwork have shaped our decisions at Sandia.
In closing, I ask that each of you take a moment and reflect on the exceptional service that you render in the national interest. I have a deep respect for our employees and this organization, the values we stand for, and the commitment we all have to our mission. Our contributions, both individually and collectively, are critically important to our nation's security.
Sincerely,
Tom Hunter
