Flow’s parent company highlights the value of its employee-first policies

Caribbean businesses are being called to place greater emphasis on people-first initiatives that prioritise employee well-being, growth, and inclusion. 

This message was at the forefront of a recent People Leaders Breakfast Meeting hosted by leading telecommunications provider Flow, in collaboration with the Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC).

Held at the Hilton Barbados, the forum brought together human resource leaders, union representatives, and industry professionals for a forward-looking dialogue on workplace evolution in the Caribbean.

Kerry Scott, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at Liberty Latin America – the parent company of Liberty Caribbean – delivered the feature address and shared the company’s strategic commitment to fostering a supportive and empowering culture through its five core values of Risk Taking, Respectful, Honest, Hardworking, and Disciplined.

“Our guiding principles are not just words on a wall – they are the compass for how we lead, how we support our teams, and how we show up for each other every day. When our people are supported, empowered, and respected, they can truly thrive, and so can the business,” she said. 

Scott outlined a range of progressive people-first program, including leadership development for senior leaders, agile performance frameworks, flexible paid time off, enhanced parental leave, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP). She also highlighted the company’s pioneering gender-based violence (GBV) policy and an ongoing focus on inclusive practices.

“We recognize that life doesn’t stop when work begins. That’s why we’ve built flexibility into our policies – to give our people the space to care for their families, their well-being, and themselves without sacrificing professional growth,” she said. 

Wayne Sobers, Barbados’ Chief Labour Officer (Ag.), also delivered an address and praised Flow for its leadership in workplace standards. 

“Flow continues to distinguish itself by oftentimes going beyond statutory requirements. Their people-first policies set a benchmark for Barbados and serve as a model for how companies can foster more human-centered, resilient organisations,” he said. 

The forum also featured a lively fireside chat moderated by Paula Walcott, Chief People Officer, Sagicor Life that included Sobers, Shawn Knight (President General, Barbados Workers’ Union), Sanella Sanford (Second Vice President, BEC), and Dominic Boon (VP, People, Liberty Caribbean). 

The panel discussed emerging HR priorities, including flexible work, engaging Gen Z, and integrating AI tools in the workplace.

Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados, said, “This forum reaffirms our belief that investing in people is not just the right thing to do, it’s also the smartest, and we’re proud to be leading that conversation in Barbados and across the region.

When we listen to our teams, support their development, and foster an inclusive culture, we unlock their full potential and that drives bona fide business success and sustainable growth.” 

At the conclusion of the event, Esther Tull, Manager, People Business Partner, Flow, received a special award for her 39 years of unbroken service to the company. (PR)

The Central Bank of Barbados has officially launched its summer internship programme, welcoming 30 tertiary-level students of diverse specialisations.

“We are proud to welcome this year’s interns, who represent the next generation of professionals,” said Novaline Brewster, Director of Communications, Information and Outreach at the Bank. “We are excited to see the many ways they will grow and contribute during their time with us.”

This group of regional emerging professionals have been placed in departments relevant to their course of study. Through mentorship from experienced staff and access to networking opportunities, they will have the chance to develop their skills and gain valuable exposure to the world of work.

Christopher Pollard, who recently completed his LLB studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, shared his appreciation for the chance to explore his interests. “I think this is an amazing opportunity as it allows me to interconnect economics and law, which I have a passion for.” Pollard continued, “I believe that the three months will be very busy but at the same time an enjoyable experience.”

Over the course of the summer, the interns will be a part of a number of activities, such as workshops, team building exercises and seminars, which aim to equip them for the ever changing world.

The Central Bank of Barbados’ summer internship programme, which has been ongoing for more than two decades, is part of the Bank’s outreach efforts, which include support for education. Other initiative include two scholarships for economics students at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill and sponsorship of a secondary school student to attend the Students Programme for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE), an annual four-week residential programme. (PR)

Close to one billion dollars in benefits are expected to be paid to Barbadians this year by the National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS).

This was disclosed yesterday by the NISSS’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kim Tudor, as she spoke to media representatives on the sidelines of the Technical Seminar: Communication approaches and strategies in social security institutions in the Caribbean, being hosted at the Hilton Barbados, Needham’s Point, St Michael, from June 2 to 4. 

Noting these funds were the kind of monies that passed through the NISSS as income support for Barbadians, she reiterated: “It is going to be about a billion Barbadian dollars this year in benefits.”

Ms. Tudor further noted that the NISSS, now in its 58th year, had also made it a lot more flexible and easier for self-employed persons. Pointing out that this month the organisation would be holding an orientation session/workshop for the creatives in Barbados, she said this would allow them to “hear in detail and ask questions, specifically about the self-employed”.

Explaining the need for this, she added: “Remember now, with the self-employed, we recognise that people are gig workers, and their money isn’t consistently a monthly salary. They get it based on gigs and other kinds of activities. And you can come to the NIS and pay any amount, at any time, you know. And we will prorate it over the year for you.”

The CEO, in a call out to such individuals, said: “So whatever you have, you can come. You know, there is Crop Over coming up. You make a lot of money at Crop Over, come and pay your NIS for the year, one time. So, those are some of the things that we have made, to make it more flexible. Our social media pages are being followed more and more. And of course, we will push that.”

While also noting that persons are currently registering for the Solidarity Allowance, Ms. Tudor let it be known that now was “a useful time to ask any questions” of the organisation and stressed that as the NISSS moved forward, it would be engaging a lot more with the public via fora and other avenues.

The head of the NISSS, referring to an appeal by one media house to make her organisation’s reports/annual reports more accessible to the public, admitted this was being actively worked on.

She further added that efforts are ongoing to make sure annual reports are updated and soon there would be annual presentations to the public, highlighting the progress of the fund, how it was performing and how much it was paying out, among other things. 

“That’s the information we will share with the public so that we can build that trust because we are working hard for you. We recognise…the important role that social security plays in income security, so we take it very seriously, and we want you to be able to know that we are …working towards making sure that happens for you,” she stated. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS), Kim Tudor, speaking to the media at Hilton Barbados yesterday. Looking on is Director of Antigua and Barbuda’s Social Security Board, David Matthias.