Former HR chief describes ‘toxic’ culture at Jersey gas company, court hears

A former human resources chief has described the working environment at Jersey’s only gas company as “unprofessional” and “toxic” during evidence at a major health and safety trial.

Kimberley Patterson, who joined Island Energy as chief people officer in September 2021, told the court that the company’s then chief executive, Jo Cox, had warned her that the business was “in a bit of a mess” and had a “toxic environment”.

Patterson is giving evidence in the trial of Island Energy, which denies a combined health and safety case. Three gas workers, Neil Armstrong, John Wright and Lee Ward, also deny 10 charges of gross negligence manslaughter.

She told the court that she had been taken aback by the way employees communicated with one another after starting her role.

“I think the way in which people spoke to each other was unprofessional, there was a lack of respect,” she said.

Patterson added that she had previously worked in a corporate environment where swearing and cursing were not commonplace.

HR department described as ‘shocking’

The court heard that Island Energy’s human resources department was in a poor state when Patterson arrived, with outdated documentation, missing policies and what she described as a lack of basic procedures.

Part of her role involved bringing employment documents up to date, including staff contracts and the employee handbook.

She also introduced performance management reviews, which involved employees meeting with their managers to discuss their work and progress.

Patterson said the process was standard practice, but suggested staff had not taken it seriously.

She told the court that employees appeared to regard the reviews as a waste of time.

‘A lack of experience’

The court heard that significant additional resources were brought into Island Energy following the fatal explosion at Haut du Mont on 10 December 2022.

Ten people died in the incident: Peter Bowler, 72, Billy Marsden, 62, Derek Ellis, 61, Sylvia Ellis, 73, Ken Ralph, 72, Jane Ralph, 71, Romeu De Almeida, 67, Louise De Almeida, 64, Raymond Brown, 71 and Kathy McGinness, 73.

Patterson said the company had brought in various specialists and may also have engaged an external company.

“They recognised there just wasn't any people, there wasn't anyone qualified,” she told the court.

She added that there had been a recognised shortage of experience within the business.

“I think that people knew there was a lack of experience in the company for sure – a lack of and not enough,” Patterson said.

The court also heard that Island Energy increased spending on recruitment and salaries in an effort to attract experienced employees.

This included offering higher pay, alongside housing and car allowances.

Patterson said the company had introduced “significant packages” to bring in the expertise it needed, at a time when staff had been suspended and other issues were ongoing.

The trial is due to continue on Monday.