Yellowknife (Apr 25/03) - Nearly five months after Dennis Cleaver was fired from the top job at Stanton Territorial Hospital, a severance package remains unresolved.

Last November, Cleaver was fired as chief executive officer and the hospital's board of directors were released after an operational review of Stanton criticized hospital management.

"Sometimes it takes time to work out," said Sylvia Haener, director of labour relations and compensation with the territorial government's financial management board secretariat.

"It's usually a rather quick procedure.

"But it can take several months to work out."

Haener said he can't speak directly to Cleaver's case because of confidentiality issues.

Speaking generally, she said that when someone is fired without full cause -- the termination could not withstand scrutiny in the courts or through arbitration -- the employer and employee enter into a discussion to resolve issues and to avoid lawsuits or arbitration.

All pay usually ceases as of the termination date but it is possible that someone will continue to be paid until the severance package is signed, said Haener. Sometimes the payout is a lump sum and sometimes it's part of a regular pay period, much like a retirement package, she said.

"It allows the person to bridge into subsequent employment."

Haener would not say whether Cleaver is still being paid.

Cleaver was unavailable for comment by press time.