brommy

Until we stop 12 year olds playing on full size pitches in leagues where only the biggest kids get picked so they can hoof it forward to increase the chance of scoring in a win at all costs mentality, England will never play great football. A warm climate also helps so I'm off to burn some tyres.

Was it ever explained how it reduces fraud? I can't remember but I think it was to do with people being unable to cover their arses during an extended break. It would be interesting to know if that actually worked. I can't but help think there would be have been plenty of fraudsters over the years who enjoyed taking long expensive holidays without worrying about being caught. Similarly, I can't imagine many potential fraudsters thinking "if only I could take holidays of 9 days or less, I could make some serious money". It may have been one of the FSA's hair-brained ideas. The rule was brought in after Nick Leeson brought down Barings bank (as portrayed by Ewan McGregor in the film 'Rogue Trader') back in the 90s. All banking staff dealing with trading have to have 2 consecutive weeks off with another employee taking over your trades. That way, hopefully your replacement will notice any dodgy trades going south during those 2 weeks and can put a stop to it before it gets out of hand. With the emphasis on 'hopefully'! I still suspect there have been those not caught out by a long holiday and those who have been caught out whilst off for a day, so I'm calling it unnecessary. It also appears to have unnecessarily expanded beyond those with genuine trading responsibilty.

Portillo?

Was it ever explained how it reduces fraud? I can't remember but I think it was to do with people being unable to cover their arses during an extended break. It would be interesting to know if that actually worked. I can't but help think there would be have been plenty of fraudsters over the years who enjoyed taking long expensive holidays without worrying about being caught. Similarly, I can't imagine many potential fraudsters thinking "if only I could take holidays of 9 days or less, I could make some serious money".

Was it ever explained how it reduces fraud?

I'm not saying you made the rules. I'm just questioning the validity of the reason you mentioned they give the workers. I guessed that taking a 1 to 9 holiday would be permitted provided they take a 10 day break within the same year but don't you think that a reason stating that a 10 day break helps prevent fraud but a 9 day holiday doesn't help prevent fraud is dodgy?

So, based on a five day week, an engineer who wants to take 9 days leave from say Tuesday in week 1 to Friday in week 2, can't because he might be committing fraud, but if he takes the Monday off as well it will prevent any such illegality? Bonkers!

Really? I've always worked for large companies and my wife works in the financial sector and we've never heard of companies insisting on two weeks consecutive leave. What insurance reasons are there? In the financial sector it can be for compliance reasons. Just asked my wife (who is a Compliance Director - not kidding) and she has never heard of such reasons. What are the compliance reasons?

First 'insurance', now 'audit' reasons. What does that even mean? Are people sure it's not just B.S. to get employees to take sections of leave that suit the needs of the business and not necessarily the staff? I always guessed it was because our engineers strike up relationships with the more popular garages, quite a few over the past few years have been found out for agreeing inflated labour rates in exchange for a cut of the extra money that the garage have made. 2 weeks off and another engineer going into that garage is usually enough to flag up any dodgy dealings. Wouldn't the dodgy engineer just tell the garage "I'm on leave for the next two weeks but normal service *wink wink* can resume when I'm back"? Either way, it's surprising that two weeks consecutive leave is enforced on tenuous anti-fraud reasons.

First 'insurance', now 'audit' reasons. What does that even mean? Are people sure it's not just B.S. to get employees to take sections of leave that suit the needs of the business and not necessarily the staff?

Really? I've always worked for large companies and my wife works in the financial sector and we've never heard of companies insisting on two weeks consecutive leave. What insurance reasons are there?

Any interest?

Creepy.

You felt fit enough to drive?

Take it easy, mate. I know from bitter experience how bad they can be. I'm fine now but Jesus Christ I genuinely thought I was dying. Definitely something you don't appreciate until its happened to you. Scariest experience ever. What brought it on?

Poor aim or spent?

When people instantly feel the need to say how good other TV series have been without any apparent challenge (it's personal preference, not a competition!), it speaks volumes for how good Br Ba was.

I wonder what business he has in or near Birmingham (using BHX), other than us?

Whilst none of us knew exactly how it would end, the lack of shock surprises made it more realistic for me. Too many surprises just make me think 'that just wouldn't happen'. I'm glad they didn't cheapen Br Ba the way too many TV series have been at their closure. The final episode contrasted Heisenburg's total control and Walt's lack of it. He was powerful enough to create extreme wealth and destroy master criminals, yet lost his family and, ultimately, battle with life. Series 1 to 5 in one episode; well done Vince.

Epic viewing. Sad that it had to end; glad it ended on it's own terms. Like Walt.

Aunty 'Peggy'?

I don't know why either. If only we spent our work days with each keeper, then we would be better informed.

I think any driver who consistently beats Ferrari, race after race, championship after championship stands a chance of being booed by the manu fans of the F1 world. Vettel made a bad call when disobeying team orders but the end result was of little effect and it's now long, long gone. The guy doesn't seem any worse as a human being than most of the F1 drivers and seems more palatable than, for example, the consistently pre-menstrual Hamilton.

At what point will she realise that arm wrestling is not her thing?