MCC's response to concerns raised by former employees
What is MCC’s response to individuals who feel they were harmed during their time of service or employment?
Hearing the stories of those who have had painful experiences with MCC weighs heavily on us. We acknowledge the fact that there are former employees who feel they were harmed by MCC, particularly those who recently launched MAST (MCC Abuse Survivors Together), and for this we lament.
MCC continues to engage with those who reach out to us to raise concerns. Many of these conversations are happening through personal meetings, phone calls or emails. We welcome others to reach out to us, as well. We are grateful for the opportunity to listen and respond as an organization.
How have MCC’s policies and practices changed over the past five years?
Through the open letter, online petition and now MAST, MCC has heard a plea for organizational change. Change has been happening and will continue to happen. MCC continues to actively evaluate, monitor and improve our internal systems and processes.
MCC has taken significant steps to change personnel processes and protocols over the past five years. We want to better serve our employees and their families. Actions include:
Planning external review of our Speak Up reporting service
Implementing a staff engagement survey
Providing ongoing training for staff around PSEAH (protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment)
Increasing the professional development and training provided to HR staff working in international program settings, and working on plans to significantly grow our HR staffing in international settings
Continuing to involve independent third-party organizations to mediate and investigate concerns that involve deeper systemic issues or when issues require an external group for objectivity and investigation.
Is MCC considering any future actions to help both present and former employees navigate disagreements and conflict?
We recognize that as the world has grown more complex, disagreements and concerns have become more difficult to navigate. As a result, MCC is currently exploring the creation of a listening space for those with concerns, similar to the Office of an Ombudsperson. We are grateful for the opportunity to listen and grow as an organization.
As noted above, MCC continues to engage with those who reach out to us to raise concerns – many of these conversations are happening through personal meetings, phone calls or emails. We welcome others to reach out to us, as well.
How is MCC responding to John Clarke and Anicka Fast in light of their lawsuit?
We recognize that because John Clarke and Anicka Fast have an active lawsuit against MCC, this requires us to communicate with them accordingly.
To date, John Clarke and Anicka Fast have declined to participate in the mediation offered by CNESST as a first step in their legal case. We continue to explore other ways to find resolution, such as via other types of mediated conversation.
How is MCC working with other Anabaptist organizations to integrate Anabaptist theology, the process of restorative justice and alternative dispute resolution into institutional life?
MCC has started a conversation with other Anabaptist organizations to determine how our Anabaptist theology – including restorative justice and alternative dispute resolution processes – can and must shape the way we interact with personnel. We are committed to having our theology, alternative dispute resolution processes and restorative justice principles help inform policies, procedures and organizational culture as we care for the people who serve with us.
We recognize that we are not alone in facing these issues. As the workplace has become legally driven, compliance-oriented and complex, many Anabaptist organizations are struggling to engage conflict and disagreement in a healthy fashion. Together as leaders, we are committed to sustaining and living out our faith in community with each other, even when it is humbling and difficult. We are committed to ensuring that people feel heard and find healing and resolution.
How can we help support MCC right now?
We are grateful to the many staff and supporters who have contacted us, asking how they can help in this moment. We invite our staff, supporters and constituents to:
- Continue to pray, give and serve. The work of relief, development and peace must continue. We cannot lose sight of the calling God has given us to respond to basic human needs and to work for peace and justice in an increasingly complex world.
- Report a concern to MCC using MCC’s Speak Up Service. Intake is handled by a third-party, and concerns can be submitted anonymously. These concerns are then passed along to trained MCC staff to determine next steps in the investigation according to MCC policy. For staff, you can also report concerns to focal points, HR or your supervisor.
- Let others know that MCC continues to evolve and change. Let them know that MCC has changed and will continue to change its policies and practices to ensure that those wanting to serve and those who are employed have ways to communicate and engage when disagreement arises.
MCC remains committed to our mission of responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice in a complex world. We remain open to dialogue with those that have concerns and continue to learn and change as an organization. We plan to announce more details soon about the “listening space” mentioned above.