Central Bank Stands by Dismissal of Employee After $27K Payout 

The Central Bank of Belize has addressed the Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal’s ruling ordering it to pay former senior clerk Dapheen Bowen nearly $27,000. 

The Bank issued a statement today outlining its position on the case, saying it accepts the procedural findings against it but stands by the decision to dismiss her.

According to the Bank, the case centred on a WhatsApp post it interpreted as referencing firearm use in the context of workplace frustrations.

“The Central Bank has always maintained that references suggesting the use of a firearm against others, particularly in the context of workplace frustrations, to be a serious matter,” the Bank said. 

The Tribunal, however, found that the Bank failed to comply with certain disciplinary procedures required under its Collective Bargaining Agreement and concluded that the dismissal was unjustified. 

The Bank did not dispute those procedural findings directly, but said, “Institutions cannot ignore conduct that may create fear, undermine trust among colleagues, or raise legitimate concerns about security.” 

It added, “the Bank maintains that employers must be able to respond appropriately to conduct that raises legitimate concerns regarding workplace safety and security.”