multiple work issues, valium - citralopram - work stress - and tribunals.

Dogger69

capeverde wrote: »

It simply has to be the individuals responsibility to report any problems and seek help. The onus cannot be on the company to keep options open for an indefinite period.

No one is disagreeing with that, but do you honestly believe anyone would approach you, given the attitude you have demonstrated on this thread? You describe these people as 'weak and feeble' - are you now suggesting you would give them a fair hearing without judgment?

Dogger69

capeverde wrote: »

My business isn't struggling, where did I say that? My point is I have absolutely had enough of all of the regulations we are forced to observe.

capeverde wrote: »

The amount of money we are spending on courses, regulations and the public sector is killing industry. Every business owner I talk to is in the same boat and many are at absolute tipping point.

Apologies, you must be the exception to your own rule!

RuthnJasper

capeverde wrote: »

For instances like this, I totally understand the need for some time and or counseling. In the 90s, exactly the same thing happened to me. A woman crashed into a tree and I held her hand while she died. She was also 8 months pregnant and despite trying they lost the baby as well. It was quite horrific and the police couldnt deal with it so I stroked her hand while they directed trafffic until the ambulance turned up by which time it was too late. Personally I dealt with it, I went jet skiing and told myself I did all I could. However I can totally understand how it may impact other people and understandably so.

This is my point re stress in the workplace, how can things be measured when peoples thresholds are so different. You also find that many people will try and 'bury' things, so are we meant to be mind readers as well? It simply has to be the individuals responsibility to report any problems and seek help. The onus cannot be on the company to keep options open for an indefinite period.

You're right. I'm so very, VERY sorry for your experience. I don't know if you spoke to the lady and baby's family; I'm not asking; it isn't any of my business. But, against advice, I did speak to - and subsequently meet with - the lorry-driver's family.

It was almost awful to take as they sat there and thanked me for what I had done; whilst all the time I felt wretched because nothing I'd done had been sufficient to save him and all I could do was apologise for the fact that I was alive and he wasn't.

But - PLEASE - believe me 100% when I say that it brings enormous comfort to the family of the victim(s) to know that he/she/they were not alone at the end, even if they don't know who the person with them was. You did the right thing. x

SteveJW

ILW wrote: »

Public sector tend to look after their own people first. Hence high levels of absence and never getting anything done properly.

I don't know where you get this from

I've worked in the public sector for over 30 years, at one time it may have applied to some areas but not any longer

Very competitive area nowadays, performance reviews etc, don't perform and your on your way

Three days sickness and you have a return to work interveiw

Never getting anything done properly, seen people from the private sector start and leave after a couple of weeks, they can't stand the pressure or work to the timescales

capeverde

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I have no personal axe to grind against employers, quite the opposite, I'm a corporate lawyer, I advise companies. I don't make the law and I don't seek to defend or justify it.

It is what it is.

<shrugs>

and we used to think the earth was flat. Those who can do, those who cant teach bla bla. Its upto us to change things when they aren't working, We need our own arab spring because none of the existing political parties are capable of making a difference.

capeverde

RuthnJasper wrote: »

You're right. I'm so very, VERY sorry for your experience. I don't know if you spoke to the lady and baby's family; I'm not asking; it isn't any of my business. But, against advice, I did speak to - and subsequently meet with - the lorry-driver's family.

It was almost awful to take as they sat there and thanked me for what I had done; whilst all the time I felt wretched because nothing I'd done had been sufficient to save him and all I could do was apologise for the fact that I was alive and he wasn't.

But - PLEASE - believe me 100% when I say that it brings enormous comfort to the family of the victim(s) to know that he/she/they were not alone at the end, even if they don't know who the person with them was. You did the right thing. x

No need to be sorry, but thanks for your post. Yes I did speak with him as he was a local person. he was quite unfortunate, a few years after this he got married again and she was expecting his child, but she ran off with someone else before it was born. I can totally understand how someone in his position might need help.

I have a guy work for me whos parents both died within two days of each other last year. I gave him as much time as he needed with full pay, but he only took 4 days plus another couple for the funeral.

Ive also had experience of people complaining of stress to HR because their desk was moved.

This is my point, I'm not a monster but there has to be some ground rules and everyone's tolerances are different.

capeverde

Dogger69 wrote: »

Apologies, you must be the exception to your own rule!

I said many are struggling. I'm not without my own issues but most of these are down to having to deal with red tape.

zzzLazyDaisy

capeverde wrote: »

and we used to think the earth was flat. Those who can do, those who cant teach bla bla. Its upto us to change things when they aren't working, We need our own arab spring because none of the existing political parties are capable of making a difference.

The simple fact is that anyone can object to any law if they wish. There is an open stretch of road near me that has a 30mph speed limit. Personally I think it is ridiculous since there are no safety issues and it would be possible to drive at 50mph quite safely. Of course, if I did do that and got caught, I accept that I would get fines and points for breaking the law of the land.

You don't like the law so far as it relates to the workplace. That is entirely your right. In the same way as any employee who feels that their statutory rights have been impacted by an employers conduct has the right to take legal action.

By all means take to the streets and protest about the infringement of your civil liberties as a business owner. It is unlikely to change the law.

In the meantime I will continue posting on these forums as an employment lawyer. You really don't have to listen to me. In fact I suggest that it is probably best for your blood pressure if you put me on ignore.

capeverde

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

The simple fact is that anyone can object to any law if they wish. There is an open stretch of road near me that has a 30mph speed limit. Personally I think it is ridiculous since there are no safety issues and it would be possible to drive at 50mph quite safely. Of course, if I did do that and got caught, I accept that I would get fines and points for breaking the law of the land.

You don't like the law so far as it relates to the workplace. That is entirely your right. In the same way as any employee who feels that their statutory rights have been impacted by an employers conduct has the right to take legal action.

By all means take to the streets and protest about the infringement of your civil liberties as a business owner. It is unlikely to change the law.

In the meantime I will continue posting on these forums as an employment lawyer. You really don't have to listen to me. In fact I suggest that it is probably best for your blood pressure if you put me on ignore.

My BP is fine but thanks for your concern. I would have no reason to put you on ignore because your advice is from what I can see usually correct. Opinions are different things though and with these I have to say you are usually incorrect

dickydonkin

Walstri wrote: »

You're treating the employer as some charity. They're not. If OP needs help dealing with stress, OP should see a doctor outside of working hours. The employer maybe legally bound to attempt to ensure its employees' health, but the employer is not legally bound to put employees' health before business needs. You really have no clue do you? I've worked in HR and had people sacked for poor performance due to health etc, and they have tried suing for compensation, and they lost. Keep living in la la land if you wish my boy.

What a stupid quote - if you don't get the health, safety and welfare requirements of your business right, then you won't have a business - let alone it's needs!

You stated you workeED in HR - I just wonder if you have CIPD and H&S qualifications - judging from your rantings, it sems you may have been the tea boy/girl in a tinpot workplace where the 'HR BOD' tends to be the health and safety 'officer' and other 'incorporated roles' that they haven't a clue about.

I hasten to add this is not the case in many workplaces, but I am certainly stating from experience here and it is quite frightening how many unqualified HR people misinterpret health and safety law.

If indeed you did work in HR, you should be aware that WRS now outnumbers manual handling and slips trips in many industrial sectors and costs UK industry millions in lost time and production.

Like the physical hazards I mentioned, many good employers address these issues as it is good business sense - controls implemented to address workplace stressors also makes economical sense as there will be an undoubted saving - not to mention good morale in the workplace.

As for your puerile 'my boy'/living in la la land cheap shot - I am living in the real world and I am telling you how it is - like it or not.

Grow up!

I've worked in HR and had people sacked for poor performance due to health etc, and they have tried suing for compensation, and they lost.

The above quote just about sums up your attitude to workers who are suffering or struggling to do their job - let's just hope that whatever job you are doing now, you are still able to continue to work until retirement and maintain your health - many are not so lucky - but just remember, you never know what is around the corner of life!

Dogger69 wrote: »

It does not take a great deal of money to ensure your staff are healthy and happy - the key is an ethos of openness and honesty. If an employee feels able to raise potential issues with their employer, the situation can be resolved before it becomes a problem.

Absolutely spot on!