In the latest edition of a spotlight series launched in February to feature integrated business operations (IBO) and administration staff at the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) and Department of Psychiatry, meet YCSC Financial Assistant IV Charlton Daye, who recently celebrated 15 years at Yale.
What led you to your current job/career?
As a child growing up in the city of Kingston Jamaica, life for ordinary people like my family was not so easy. People who were stricken with poverty could not do much, which was a direct correlation with little to no academic assistance. Most of the people in my surroundings were working in local factories, or they were domestic workers, or gardeners, all of which are low paying jobs. At the time, people struggled to make two ends meet with a cost-of-living way above their earnings. Although education for most Jamaicans is very important, it was not always the priority. With high inflation and unemployment at record high and the lack of good paying jobs, it was quite difficult for parents to enforce the ideology of education on young minds. To top it all, the political scene in Jamaica in the mid to late seventies was disruptive and violent to say the least.
As a young man, I was sure that there was a better way of living. So, while I was attending secondary high school, I would hang out with students who were considered middle- or upper-class Jamaicans with the hope to understand what their families were doing differently and to learn more about how to attain that status. As you can guess, that was not something they were willing to share, but one thing that came out of this inquiry was that education was the key to betterment. At the time, I still did not know where it would lead me, but I was sure that I wanted to do something like working in a place such as an institution where I can help others. I knew it was going to be in education or politics and, since as a youngster I was good with numbers, it led me to finance.
What is a work-related accomplishment that made you feel proud?
When I first started working in the Child Study Center Business Office, I remember trying to get acquainted with the different sections and people. I noticed that when some people came to the Business Office, they seemed cautious or hurried, and like they wanted to get in and out quickly. That was not my idea of doing business. I believe the best way to conduct business is to adopt an open-door policy. The Business Manager at the time, Karen Muth, agreed with this, but we weren’t sure why this wasn’t embraced.
What I came to understand was that we were seen as policy enforcers. I remember talking to Karen about what I observed, and she wanted to know what I thought we could do differently. One of the things that came out of this was to review the process around expense reports and requisitions and create a cheat sheet of frequently asked questions. Basically, giving preparers insight into what we looked for as the reviewers. Once the Business Office Team came up with these reviews/training, you could see a difference. Although it was not all my idea, it felt like it was driven by my concerns, and this led to more openness and more partnerships within the department.
What energizes you outside of work?
I like to do yard work and go to the gym. These two things make me absolutely energized.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Willing, caring, and philosophical.
What is an accomplishment you are proud of outside of work/your current job?
Raising my children and seeing their accomplishments.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
The Mother land Africa.
What would you like to share that might surprise your colleagues?
I highly dislike to see people suffer because I know the mother earth provides more than enough wealth that everyone can be satisfied and be happy. My ultimate hope is to see mankind willing to share and distribute the wealth according to our needs. Just to be clear, I do not mean handouts.