FORT ST. JOHN, B.C – Fort St. John City Council said their goodbyes to Rashid Hasan, who has resigned as the city’s chief human resources officer.
During Monday’s council meeting, council said farewell to Hasan, who has been with the city since 2014.
“It’s tough to see people go, but what you have brought to this community has been pretty exceptional when it comes to the professionalism that you’ve brought to the table for us,” says Mayor Lori Ackerman tearfully while thanking Hasan for his work with the city.
Hasan’s last day with the city is March 18th, where he will be headed to Centre Wellington, Ontario, continuing in the HR field.
During the council meeting, Hasan reflected on when the city hired him.
“A lot of good stuff was already in place, and there was a vision. [City Manager Dianne Hunter] hired me with that vision in mind,” says Hasan during Monday’s council meeting.
Hasan says the team is in a good place moving towards modernizing the city’s human resources program, but there is more work to be done.
“I really felt supported. This is one of the organizations where I worked; I’ve always been boasted that we have a great working relationship between the council and administration. That’s the place you want to work, where there’s harmony, collaboration, and people listen to each other. Yes, we have some tough conversations, but you always had the people agenda at heart.”
Hasan thanked his team, stating, “I bask in the glory of their success. I alone is nothing. ”
There are currently 50 people taking a supervisor training program, with close to a dozen more on a waiting list. The program cuts recruitment costs and prepares future leaders within the city, according to Hasan.
Ackerman also mentioned Hasan’s work with the award-winning professional development program.
“It is so much easier to develop from within than it is to recruit, and it does acknowledge that there’s a lot to draw from the people that we’ve hired. They are truly rock stars,” says Ackerman.
“Sometimes, what I get annoyed about is that I don’t think that the community really truly respects the contribution that our employees bring to the table.”
Hasan says he will keep his work phone for the next six months to be available to the city, helping with the transition period.
Jessica Bookham is taking over as the acting chief HR officer.
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