desensitized43

I did for fear of rocking the boat too much. Atmosphere from management isn't great right now and I didn't feel it was wise to pick a fight over it.

They may never enforce it although they probably will as they need another person to certify now and I only went a month ago. I just wanted to see if anyone knew exactly how enforceable it was given the document is dated after I went on the course. I wasn't aware of the costs and terms etc before. If/When it comes up I'll probably see if I can talk them down on that basis to a lower figure and if not just pay it.

I haven't checked my generic contract. I know it's a fairly standard practice and I've signed similar agreements in the past with previous employers. I'd thought as the whole thing was about achieving the desired discounts with suppliers that they were making their money back that way. I did sign the form and didn't express my thoughts at the time as I didn't want to be seen as a "dissenter" as others had been labelled when they'd refused to go along with the management.

Hi All. Need a little bit of advice on how to handle a delicate situation at work... I went on a training course provided by the company in January which I'd originally asked for in June last year. The company needed a certain number of employees with this qualification to achieve their desired partner status, with a handy discount on a product we sell. When I got back after getting the qualification I was asked to a meeting with my manager to be asked to sign a form stating that the company would charge me £1200 if I left within 6 months, then halving and again after another 3 months. At no time before this did they mention this to me. I've been contacted in the last few days by a former employer and offered a lot more money and a step up in terms of seniority to go back. I'd like to go. I do have the £1200 so it's not like it's going to wipe out the bank balance but how enforceable is the agreement I signed? Can I contest it on the basis I was only made aware of the cost AFTER they sent me on the course? Thanks in advance.

I think my manager is just worries about being seen to have poached all the staff. Like me he doesn't do conflict well and there will be a massive row but neither of us are employment experts and he's said he's concerned about legal blowback. I'm leaning the same direction as you guys of "screw them“. Tell him I'm going but not where, he'll find out eventually no doubt and be supremely pissed I haven't told him though.

Not posted here for a good while but need some advice from people who might have been in my situation before! A couple of weeks ago my manager was offered and accepted a job at a competitor in Birmingham. He's wanted out for a while as the atmosphere at our place is pretty toxic. Lots of changes and decisions being made by the MD and his "business advisor" and soon to be partner in the business that no one else agrees with. He's currently working his notice period but a few weeks ago he asked if I would like him to send my CV to his new employer as they know a few others are looking to leave and are on the look out for new guys. I said yes. They've made contact with me and are making me an offer in the next few days. Here's my problem. The current MD is best described as being something akin to bipolar with ADHD. I think he has a problem, personally. I'd like to move for various professional reasons but if my manager and I both jump ship together it will get very ugly. My manager has suggested trying to get the new employer to hold the role until he's gone and then I'd hand my notice in immediately after (potentially leaving my with 2 months still in the crazy house). I'd rather not burn bridges and I don't do conflict particularly well being a pretty laid back guy. How would you guys tell the boss in a way that would allow me to leave on amicable terms? Has anyone ever been head hunted by a competitor and had to deal with an upset current employer while you work a notice? Are they allowed to make your life difficult? Thanks in advance!

Holt needs 2 chairs!? Damn, how fat has he gotten!?

lol reading this makes me visualize my face at the end of Halo 2

Interesting topic this thread and I think on whole he will get a respectful reception. That being said I know for a fact there are those who are determined to undermine him from the start and force him out already. I was at Fulham last saturday and the gentleman in front of me turned round when McLeish walked out the tunnel and saw me clapping and said to me "it just aint gonna work is it?". I said that you need to give him a chance, that he's here now and there's not alot we can do about it now and that he would lose nothing by getting behind the man. At the end of the day the way I see it the fans lose nothing by giving him a chance, if he fails then they get rid of a manager they never wanted anyway. If he succeeds (the definition of success for this football club has been a subject for debate recently I know) then the club as a whole will benefit presumably.

Lol'd

How is that anything to do with the Premier League? Are we now praising talents on lower leagues? Is that how low we've fallen? Didn't Alex Ferguson go from Aberdeen to Man Utd once upon a time? I assume if we'd have been in for him all those years ago you'd have been one of the people claiming he was beneath us

Valhalla has a mate ! (or a fake account) I just don't get the anger mate...if you don't want him then that's understandable and a fair reaction (I think it would be a mistake aswell). I just think some people on this board at times get what I call "Angry Nerd Syndrome". It's easy to sit behind a computer and launch quite personal and unjustified attacks but alot of people seem to not be able to back up these claims with a valid reason and just spout tabloid slogans about him being "wally with the brolly"

Am I the only one who feels a bit sorry for McClaren? I didn't feel he was the right fit for the job either but some of the comments about him have got quite personal and regardless of what people think of him it must be difficult whenever he is linked with a job in his home country to get the kind of reaction he does.

Oddschecker now showing Schteeeve as favourite...shit just got real!

General, Just a couple of things (kind of related). First of all the last couple of games the half time entertainment has been just that, extremely entertaining! The guy with the throw in against Fulham was particularly funny and please pass that along to whoever is arranging this. Secondly, at half time against Fulham while the guy with the throw ins was top notch the quality of the sound from the tannoy system was definately not. Sitting in the Holte End the sound was little more than a muffled inaudible noise (one of the guys in front of me who was a neutral from what I overheard also commented on how bad it was). I know this has been mentioned before so maybe plans are afoot to improve this or perhaps given the configuration of the stadium this is simply the best we can make it but is it possible we could get an update on what is going on with this? Many Thanks for yours and everyone behind the scenes hard work!

You get to put 2 attachments on 1 weapon instead of standard 1 weapon, 1 attachment set up

Nail-Head

Any player with a family needs to be cut some slack in this regard. It takes time to move children with schools to be considered etc. I don't see why Ireland has been singled out on this point. Warnock has been here over a year and he still hasn't moved down. The point is that Houllier has pretty much said that he doesn't like Ireland doing this. If Ireland had plans afoot for moving his family surely the club would know and/or be able to help him find decent schools and get his ducks in a row. If he is actually putting in his all on and off the pitch to adjust to life at Villa then I can accept that but what can't be accepted is if someone isn't making an effort. Like it or not you cannot commute that far every day and with the amount this club is paying him we deserve better from our investment. Saying that, I can also fully appreciate where everyone else is coming from that having made this investment Houllier should be trying to maximise our return rather than depreciating the value of a very sale-able asset.

I don't think Ireland has done himself any favours by living in Manchester and commuting for training etc and not showing the club the commitment. A the end of the day the club recognised that he could add value to this team and put some trust in him despite the fact that he hasn't played much football and he needs to show the club he actually wants to make a go of this and throw his all into trying to adjust and fit in. That is something we haven't seen from Stephen Ireland and until he shows this I'm fully behind Houllier in his treatment of Ireland.

For someone else? lol!

I have to say I agree with this 100% Going further I would also say that this whole attitude stems from the schools who close for an inch of snow and expect parents to be able to take a day off...its become expected and it has to stop

Not to me. Taking that attitude about your workforce, in my view, is symptomatic of being a poor employer (along the same kind of lines as the unpaid first 3 days sick, no internet access, no 'non work' chat, clocking in/out to go to the bog, &c.). A lot of people cannot afford to go unpaid (and therefore might well try and make journeys which they simply couldn't do), for example. It might well do something for those who look at it as a chance for a 'free jolly' but should those who do not look at it in that way be penalized? What about the penalized few who actually make it into work only to have to do 4 peoples jobs??? it should be unpaid because if you cant get into work then you either need to move closer to work or get a job thats closer for you...you cant expect people to do your job for you or expect your employer to take a hit because you live where you do

I live in Halesowen and work up on the Waterfront in Brierley Hill and I just want to add that the council are an absolute disgrace. Traveling down the Stourbridge Road today (A458) there doesnt appear to have been any attempt to plow or grit (not that with the level of snow gritting is any good) at all! There were cars and lorries sliding everywhere and I can honestly say that i've never experienced anything like this in my life. I'd also like to add that we have some serious morons living in the country. Travelling at 20 miles an hour with a white van right up your arse constantly trying to pull our and overtake is, quite frankly, pathetic. Also, whats with the people in 4x4s? do any of you have ANY common sense at all??? just because you CAN drive at the normal speed, others can't! Understand? Your vehicles extra abilities don't give you the right to put my life in danger, GROW THE **** UP!! Also can I add that as half the people in my work phoned in "sick" today (whatever!) i don't know why the responsible people in life should do the extra work so the lazy **** who can't be bothered to make an effort can sit by the fire...**** YOU!! Rant Over..Peace!

Maybe. I once told a client their database wasn't working because there was "snow on the lines". It's amazing what people will believe if you sound confident. If you have an adsl connection then yes bad weather affects broadband speed. I work in technical support for a small B2B ISP and i know a customer who cant get any connection at all if it rains hard enough due to how long his line is and signal degradation in storms.

when is the draw?