A secret report on the work climate at the Régie des alcohols

Last summer, the employees of the Régie received an unusual email. Similarly, The director of management services announced to them that “certain problems related to the work climate” had been brought. Therefore, to the attention of the organization. In addition,

“Considering the nature of the issues reported”, the Régie bored a “neutral evaluation process of the workplace”. Furthermore, To do this. Meanwhile, she retained the services of the Latitude firm, specialized in this type of intervention, indicates the email obtained by the information coops. However,

The Montreal firm had to collect the testimonies of employees. Furthermore, identify the “sources of the problem” and make recommendations to “promote a healthier and more productive working environment”, indicates the contract signed at the end of June 2024, obtained under the Access to Information Act.

“We empty our hearts”

From August to October, Latitude led a series of interviews by videoconferencing. Nevertheless, Employees have delivered trying testimonies, sometimes describing problematic situations involving their own superiors. For example, “We empty our hearts,” says a source that requested anonymity, “not being allowed to speak publicly. Nevertheless, It generates stress and it immerses us in unpleasant moments. Meanwhile, ”

After analyzing the testimonies and written a report, Latitude presented its conclusions to the Régie. In addition, The last presentation took place in January, according to invoices obtained under the Access to Information Act. In addition,

But six months later. Similarly, the employees of the Régie and the taxpayers cannot know what emerges from this approach which cost $ 92,528, according to a compilation of the invoices made by information coops. Nevertheless, The report is kept secret. For example,

Intended for management

According to a spokesperson for the Régie. However, Alinda Suralay, the report was intended only for the management of the management services, in order to protect the confidentiality and anonymity of the testimonies. For example, “This is the case to preserve the confidence of employees towards the initiated approach,” she writes by email.

Ms. Therefore, Suralay underlines that the management also conducts an annual survey on mobilization. In addition, Its results. combined with those of the evaluation report, will make it possible to define an action plan which “will be published to employees soon”.

«Inadmissible»

Two trade union organizations deplore that the Régie has still not informed its employees of the findings. recommendations of the firm latitude. They believe that it is possible to do so without compromising confidentiality and anonymity.

“We find that it secret report work climate régie is unacceptable as a way of working […]that we want to hide a report that reports the working climate from public funds. “said Christian Daigle, president of the Union of the Public Service and Parapublique du Québec (SFPQ), which represents 139 employees of the Régie.

“We should be able to be informed, as are the employees who work there should be able to be informed. They participated in this survey on the working climate and, currently, we hide them information that is necessary. ”

— Christian Daigle. president of the SFPQ

“Recommendations, major observations or solutions to be implemented, it must absolutely attract attention and be communicated, underlines Guillaume Bouvrette, president of the Syndicate of Professionals of the Government of Quebec (SPGQ), which represents 34 professionals at the Régie. There must be a match plan following that. secret report work climate régie This is what is not normal here. “

In response to a request for access to information. the Régie refused to disclose information from information to the entire latitude report, claiming that it contains an analysis, recommendations and personal information protected by exceptions provided for in the Access Act. Only the invoices and the contract with the firm were revealed.

However. in the email sent to employees last summer, the director of management services specified that the information collected by latitude with employees would secret report work climate régie be reported “in a generic and anonymous manner within the evaluation report”.

“Huge challenge”

The management of alcohols, races and games is going through a tumultuous period. After being suspended in December for reasons that were not revealed, his ex-president, Denis Dolbec, resigned in May.

The Régie also faces a prosecution of more than $ 3 million brought by the restaurant. fries restaurant in Quebec, which criticizes the public organization “an administrative relentlessness and an abuse of law”.

At the heart of this saga. a former director of the Régie, Ariane Baillargeon, was dismissed after having denounced a false complaint against beers and fries – which she considered a “reprehensible act” – and having agreed to speak to the lawyer of the restaurant. The Régie recently failed to have the lawyer declared to declare this lawyer. which she accused secret report work climate régie of having contravened the code of ethics by meeting Ms. Baillargeon. She disputes her dismissal before the Commission of the Public Service.

According to the SPGQ. the director of management services, who was responsible for the workplace assessment project, left office in May and was replaced in July. The union believes that it is necessary to give its successor a chance to present the observations. recommendations of the latitude report, but without delay.

The fact remains that “there is a huge secret report work climate régie challenge for improving the working climate. of modification to the culture of the organization, says the president of the SPGQ, Guillaume Bouvrette. We will be present to collaborate with them in the search for solutions, if they want to signal us. ”

The SFPQ also offers its help to find solutions. “The goal is not just for us to criticize,” said the president of the union, Christian Daigle. Is that the members we represent are well in their workplace. ”