"Richard Dixon" wrote in message
...
On Monday, 25 February 2013 13:52:05 UTC,
wrote:

I doubt many would dare come on here and express an opinion for fear of
being reprimanded by the Brand police.

Now this *is* a definite downside of becoming more commercial, I agree
there!!

They are everywhere and you get
hauled over the coals quite quickly if you step out of line. I was many
times in recent years, but I simply didn't care. Others will care more as
there are mortgages to pay, families to look after etc.

Didn't you have a pension to worry about if they'd given you the elbow?!


Of course, and I *was* nearly sacked for speaking out, twice. But a good
defence and good Trade Union support got me off. But the pension I had
already accrued was quite good and I would not lose that. I could have
either taken a pension early (and taken a hit) or found temporary work (I
had offers) until I reached 60. Others are not so fortunate or as
resourceful so they will be keeping their heads below the parapet.

Will
--
http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk/Hayt...antage_Pro.htm
Will Hand (Haytor, Devon, 1017 feet asl)
---------------------------------------------

On Monday, February 25, 2013 2:07:19 PM UTC, wrote:
"Richard Dixon" wrote in message

...

On Monday, 25 February 2013 13:52:05 UTC,

wrote:



I doubt many would dare come on here and express an opinion for fear of

being reprimanded by the Brand police.



Now this *is* a definite downside of becoming more commercial, I agree

there!!



They are everywhere and you get

hauled over the coals quite quickly if you step out of line. I was many

times in recent years, but I simply didn't care. Others will care more as

there are mortgages to pay, families to look after etc.



Didn't you have a pension to worry about if they'd given you the elbow?!





Of course, and I *was* nearly sacked for speaking out, twice. But a good

defence and good Trade Union support got me off. But the pension I had

already accrued was quite good and I would not lose that. I could have

either taken a pension early (and taken a hit) or found temporary work (I

had offers) until I reached 60. Others are not so fortunate or as

resourceful so they will be keeping their heads below the parapet.



Will

--

http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk/Hayt...antage_Pro.htm

Will Hand (Haytor, Devon, 1017 feet asl)

---------------------------------------------

Coo. You were older, couldn't adapt to change and your employers saw that. You think you were speaking out against some awful tide, but actually the problem was clearly with you. The MetO does a fine job and from what you've said since leaving, they won't miss you and probably remember you as a dinosaur, which is sad.

Just imagine the comments from the far right wing nutbar, larry, who rails against absolutely anything the MetO does, because of his entrenched and foul views, if the MetO was "draining the taxpayers", instead of moving sensibly with the times and establishing a much more cost-effective traded service?

The hypocrisy being expressed here is huge - from both an ex-employee and from an idiot.

On Monday, 25 February 2013 14:07:19 UTC, wrote:

Of course, and I *was* nearly sacked for speaking out, twice.

Cripes! I know I've had a fair dig at you Will on here and things I definitely disagree with you on - but fair play for risking your job, for whatever reasons you had: not many people would - but it sounds like you were financially secure so it was worth the risk.

But a good
defence and good Trade Union support got me off.

Sounds like you're quite notorious in the Office!

I could have
either taken a pension early (and taken a hit) or found temporary work (I
had offers)

I'm sure that Torbay Council Chief Bikini-waxer role (new position resulting from Climate Change) would have been difficult to turn down...

Richard

"Richard Dixon" wrote in message
...
On Monday, 25 February 2013 14:07:19 UTC, wrote:

Sounds like you're quite notorious in the Office!

Er you could say that! :-)
In my final 7 years I was quite an active trade unionist fighting for decent
pay and the usual attacks on terms and conditions. Didn't always win of
course but we tried our best.

I could have
either taken a pension early (and taken a hit) or found temporary work (I
had offers)

I'm sure that Torbay Council Chief Bikini-waxer role (new position
resulting from Climate Change) would have been difficult to turn down...

LOL yes that would have been a nice job. Still, now I'm retired I can always
go down for a stroll along the prom on a sunny day to look at the scenery.

Will
--

In article ,
Eskimo Will writes:
I think Lawrence is asking why they should be issued at all? And
the answer is that they are a good money earner paid for by
money out of the government's health budget. I am obliged not to
say here how much the warning system and other health forecasts
cost but one could indeed ask the question are they worth it when
the NHS is short of beds, nurses and cleaners?

Are you saying that all the warnings, not just the cold weather ones,
are paid for by the NHS?
--
John Hall

"Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong."
Oscar Wilde

"John Hall" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Eskimo Will writes:
I think Lawrence is asking why they should be issued at all? And
the answer is that they are a good money earner paid for by
money out of the government's health budget. I am obliged not to
say here how much the warning system and other health forecasts
cost but one could indeed ask the question are they worth it when
the NHS is short of beds, nurses and cleaners?

Are you saying that all the warnings, not just the cold weather ones,
are paid for by the NHS?

No. The thread is about the cold weather alerts.

Will
--

On Monday, 25 February 2013 13:57:19 UTC, Richard Dixon wrote:
On Monday, 25 February 2013 13:52:05 UTC, wrote:



I doubt many would dare come on here and express an opinion for fear of

being reprimanded by the Brand police.



Now this *is* a definite downside of becoming more commercial, I agree there!!



They are everywhere and you get

hauled over the coals quite quickly if you step out of line. I was many

times in recent years, but I simply didn't care. Others will care more as

there are mortgages to pay, families to look after etc.



Didn't you have a pension to worry about if they'd given you the elbow?!



Richard

The pension is based on yours and the employer's contribution. You cannot and will not lose that pension if sacked-it will be frozen as of at the time of loss of employment. The problem arises if sacked from a final salary scheme at say 30 years of age after five years contributions-then it will be frozen at that contributory rate with inflation adjustment until the agreed age of receiving that pension. Will may have risked his employment and his pension, but not all of it -only up until dismissal.

By the way: in super ann schemes i believe the employers contribution is 16%, compared to Mon SA Pensions schemes where the employers contribution is typically 6%