Latest posts:
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Sorry but i don't agree with strike action at all, in any context or in any industry. The only people hurt are the end users, in this case fuel buyers. Why should it be the customer who is used indirectly to ransom the company. Yes we ARE held to ransom.
These tanker drivers are paid very well to deliver fuel, and i don't doubt it has it's elements of danger but how many Facilities managers are paid over £40k, and think about the level of responsibility we have?
If they don't like the salary, then why don't they push off and find a job that they are happy with? I'll tell you why they don't, because they know they're on a bloody good screw and they've got the protection of the Union.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Careful Neil, even something as seemingly innocent as under one years service could leave you open to age discrimination claims against younger drivers/employees. Ridiculous but could happen in theory. Just a thought as i keep coming up against this new legislation regarding parking allocation and who can/ cannot go on which of my sites etc!!
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Sounds like Lesley's MIL is taking the lifts to work for granted and expects them because of who she is. Lesley, can you show that the lifts were a personal arrangement only? I don't know if it might help but did you arrive at work a little before your MIL's official start time, ie your start time? Is your car personal and not a company car? A positive answer to these would indicate a personal arrangement to me.
I don't know how big the company is Lesley but i agree with James can you get someone else to write the letters, or use an independent intermediary? It might be costly but it seems the only way you can now detach the personal from the business side, but do it quickly, you can't drag this out.
I have every sympathy with you on the personal level but the bottom line is that your mother in law refuses to come to work for no good reason. Unexplained or unsatisfactory non attendence is gross misconduct in my book and if she continues to stay away you will have to dismiss her as any other member of staff can then follow the precedent you set now.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Mine is merely a personal point of view and you've answered this for me Carole 'Can't we do without them for an hour or so?' Are some people so important that they have to remain contactable even when driving or does it just make them feel more important?
My real problem is the hand held, not the hands free and although i acknowledge that hands free kits are legal their use should be limited to emergencies - not to discuss what's for dinner or what time are you going down the gym.
I'm not sure about your phrase 'much more dangerous' either Carole any distraction is dangerous when driving, my thoughts are that the number of potential distractions should be kept to a minimum. I don't have hands free and i never will as a personal choice. If someone wants me they'll have to wait until i'm not driving. When it comes to hands free kits I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree :-}
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
I'm a firm believer in no mobile use at all when driving, whether hands free or using any other device. If you're driving, drive don't talk. If you need to talk then being asked to pull over and turn the engine off seems reasonable to me.
500 fines a day is nothing but i realise the Police force's limited resource means they can only scrape the tip of the iceberg. It seems to me the enforcement of this policy could; without any need for greed or profit, create a few jobs and be self financing with a dedicated trained team assigned to this role. With a little planning and some proper guidelines this number should become thousands.
The only people who would object are those who flout the law regarding phones and driving anyway. Then again i suppose there will be those who argue about targets and how to achieve them by issuing false fines. But, if the system was properly set up and regulated i'm sure the revenue from fixed penalties would finance it.
Perhaps then i wouldn't be continually cut up by the same woman in the silver BMW who chats away on her hand held mobile and then flicks you the 'V' when you honk at her. What i wouldn't give to see her stopped and ticketed. And you know what? In light of recent headlines about 'car vandalism not being a crime' it might go some way to restore my faith in british justice. No crime should go unpunished no matter how small it is perceived. It won't seem small when she or one of the thousands like her kills someone.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Why is it treating someone as an object to call them 'love' 'duck' 'mate' 'pal' or 'chuck'. If sexual harrassment is being practised by patrons throw them out, simple but i don't think any of the above names are offensive and if so just say "don't call me that" .
What is the alternative greeting?
Good evening associated human can i get you a drink?
Yes please licensed premises employee i'll have 568 millilitres of lager!
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Haven't laughed so much for a while , shame it wasn't a true story that would have been even funnier. Watch out though this time next year it will be a true story!!
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
I assume a PEP (personal evacuation plan) is in place for this person, but if they are not assisted in an evacuation please just remember that in the event of a fire alarm activation the door could close trapping them inside!
I don't know if this is the main entrance to your office Colm, but if there are no other entrances to the building that could be used you will need to consider installing an electric door opening device; especially if you have clients/ public regularly visiting you.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
I don't think you have to provide parking spaces for staff Jim, but you may have a few contractual issues if you already supply parking provision for your staff - especially if it's free. But if space is available and approval possible, i would seek it.
Your developer should very easily be able to tell you how many parking spaces your new development is allowed. The allowance can be different for each local authority but is increasingly based on the square meterage of the development. Ratios can be anything from 1 space per 35m2 - 1 per 50m2.
Steve is right, if parking spaces haven't already been approved in the development plans, you will have to support your application with a formal travel plan.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
A ridiculous state of affairs, whether you consider the problem is due to H&S or fees. Unfortunately everything has a fee attached these days , but the local authority do have the right to spend tax payers money on improving community relations and indeed should be encouraged to do so. It's the loss of community values that stops them waiving any charge for the road; and paying for the PL ins for that matter!
I'd rather my local councillors spent four or five hundred pounds helping to fund a community event like this, instead of installing another dozen hidden cameras in our wheelie bins!
It's so sad that we're losing old traditions and opportunities to get together as a community.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
I don't think there are any issues with cleaning out ashtrays provided suitable PPE is worn. Unfortunately its akin to cleaning the toilets or unblocking sinks and should be part of the duties allocated to the cleaner of that area.
Unless the ashtrays contain smoldering cigarettes i can't see any risk to health above that of cleaning any other dirty area. But i have to admit it really does stink!!
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
I think that Paul Waugh did an incredibly brave thing and whether he broke the rules or not he did something that although most of us would hope to do, i wonder how many of us would really have the balls. Paul, you're not just a credit to your profession but to humanity for demonstrating that in this predominantly 'all for one' society in which we live you put someone else's life on a par with your own.
I'm sure improvements could be made to the equipment and supplies carried by all voluntary rescue teams, but considering the usual funding problems they'll probably take years to achieve.
AS for the MCA 'not looking for dead heroes', who is? What a flippant statement to make about someone whose bravery and determination gave that 13 year old girl a future. I'm sure she'll be thanking you for the rest of her life Paul and that's something to be really proud of. Best of luck mate.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
This is just silly. The broadcasters already pay the songwriters and performers royalties in order to broadcast and Richard above is correct unless you pay admission it isn't infringing on broadcasting rights.
If Kwit Fit have operated a ban on radios for the last 10 years then why is this happening? Either enforce your company policy (although i find it very harsh) or let you crews listen to the radio. As for the PRS get off the gravy train. If this case is proven what next? Will they be sueing the woman next door to me who listens to the radio in summer while she enjoys a bit of sunshine just because i can faintly hear it too?
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Unfortunately Sarah sounds like she's on a bit of a sticky wicket here. Noah could have been a good addition to her company but her reluctance to remove her head scarf could influence Sarah's business. I don't think playing the race card is a great move though and surely after 25 failed interviews you would have asked why you hadn't got the job? Unfortunately people can't be honest these days and tell you the truth without being branded a racist. Nothing to do with religion, just appearance. I hope Sarah is given the benefit of the doubt in this case but equally i hope that Noah gives the money to a good cause if she is fighting this on principle, as she claims.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Sorry Julie, Philip is right you cannot attach something to a car. If you could identify the offender by name you could ask the school to write to them directly.
If people park outside your drive i am assuming no other parking restrictions are in place and although slightly more inconvenient could you park your own car there temporarily instead of on your drive?
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Thanks heavens it's over! I applaud RM managers for sticking to their guns and refusing overtime to clear the backlog. Although it will take longer to clear at least there are no further 'perks' for the strikers who no doubt thought that they'd recover any loss of earnings in the first week or two back.
Unfortunately the union lead strike has virtually guaranteed thousands of redundancies as I, and i'm sure thousands of other companies will be looking at alternatives to using Royal Mail in the future. I refuse to be held to ransom as a customer, a company who can't satify the client will lose the contract in every other arena and it deserves to here.
Unfortunately union bosses will say this is a matter between the management and the staff - but it's not, it's large and small businesses, sick people, people in debt and little 'Billie' who won't receive his grans birthday card who lose out.
As soon as there is an alternative to RM people will use it, and i don't blame them.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Don't forget to ask your disabled member of staff what they think. Sometimes the person best placed to come up with a practical solution is the person with the disability. Just a thought
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
To anonymous, would you be so supportive of this woman if she worked at your company and was putting yours and your colleagues jobs at risk?
I read recently a report claiming that 'off the record' a very high percentage of male employers would not employ women likely to become pregnant.
I would guess this case is the one in a hundred that is the cause of this opinion.
Pregnant women shouldn't be seen as a threat to a company, they can become a real asset in the long term but in circumstances like these i can fully understand why employers don't want to take that chance. I think discriminatory laws need to be looked at to protect the employer, and a disruptive employee should be dealt with appropriately irrespective of the fact she is pregnant. Pregnancy and its symptoms in these type of extreme cases should not condone unprofessional behaviour and an employer whose company is put at risk should have the right to dismiss completely or suspend indefinitely.
The alternative is to retain the status quo and run the risk of a small business failing as a result. If a small business fails because of one womans actions could the then redundant staff not prosecute the company for not dealing with the threat posed by this employees behaviour?
Besides, this case prejudices those women whose pregnancies don't affect their performance at work greatly; and they are the vast majority who will miss opportunities and future career prospects because of an employers bias based on extreme cases like this when little or no action can seemingly be taken.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
I include everyone who was there and No Kevin if i had switched places with these people i wouldn't have thought for a minute about not jumping in. Then again i have a conscience that wouldn't have allowed me not to.
Rate this!
Mark Shuttleworth
Member - 39 posts
Unbelievable, these so called 'officers' should hang their heads in shame and be stripped of their positions. I think the police should even consider prosecution charges, to watch that poor child drown and not raise a finger to help is akin to manslaugthter.
0 (0)
