General Chat

But Sue - those were the days of much lesser worker's rights, consumer's rights, employer's rights etc - would you rather we went back to the '70s? I prefer progress and I truly believe that, even for very small companies like yourselves, things are much better now. The paperwork is a bit of an ache admittedly and I am sure you find it expensive just keeping up with things like disability rights but surely things are better now than they were otherwise you would have "shut up shop" a long time ago.

It is much more difficult. Just keeping up with new legislation takes me about 5 hours per week. That info then has to be disseminated to the right employees. I may have to adjust our insurance cover to account for changes. Because of the 'working at heights' legislation we had to invest a huge amount of money on sophisticated systems because the boys can't work off ladders.

Risk assessments and method statements take ages to prepare and that's before we earn a penny. Our overheads are crippling but we operate as a professional company (we deal with crime scenes as part of our services) and can't operate in any way other than totally professionally.

Our staff are paid good money and their welfare is paramount because some jobs are high risk.

I despair some weeks!

Sue

Errol, I wouldn't want to be responsible for making 35 people redundant.

i must admit the 70s were better as i was too young to care power cuts were fun you think when your 6

The trouble is,the Financial institutions,Banks,Media are "Talking" us into a Recession,The Government???? needs a swift kick up the Jacksie,and start to look after this Country not the rest of the World.Or the EU. **M**.

i agree merlin

Which comes first - the legislation or the well-being of employees?
In other words, why do so many companies moan about legislation that is actually protecting workers?
I do agree with you Sue in that the legislation and subsequent practical integration of it can be an absolute nightmare but if it makes the work environment a safer place then I am sure any right thinking person would agree that it is necessary.
Where I get angry is the ridiculous rules that make no sense whatsoever.

I voted NO in the first EU referendum, I felt that deserting the Commonwealth and established independant trade would be detrimental and I still remain convinced of that.

*waits for missiles*

too young to remember the eu vote but it seems bad to me these days
why was it ever decided to go into europe
an elected decison by the people

So did I Sue, We Betrayed the Commomwealth,and look where its got us,The Dumping ground of the World, **M**.

Errol,

I am registered disabled so undertake to ensure staff get full welfare rights BUT if a member of staff is caught stealing, We have to suspend them on full pay until the case is proven in court.

AND we cannot reclaim that pay if they are found guilty.

CONSEQUENCE....we lose a client, we lose money.

When I undertake a first day induction I have to document that I have:

gone through H & S in relation to fire safety, electrical safety, gas safety, visual display safety, work station suitability, avoidance of RSI. Check on their last eye tests (and offer one if not within the last 12 months), instruct them in the correct us of all office equipment etc etc.

If someone has not used the laminator before I have to teach and record, it's the recording that drives me nuts! I need a strong man to lift each personnel file.

Aaah now be fair, Eastern Europe had to export the low grade coal somewhere!!!

We used to have exploding coal which was quite scary!

oops can of worms i think my friends

lol Sue I do know what you mean but the point I am making is that (using your example) the induction, training etc is very important and at least it is being forced on less scrupulous companies now.
The recording of miniscule details may seem ridiculous but the actual carrying out of the tasks themselves is vital to the running of a successful company - and actually holds many benefits too.

santas elf - quite simply, it was cheaper - cheaper rates of pay, less stringent legislation etc

After all, who cares about a few Eastern bloc miners when we can have cheaper fuel?

Errol, sadly the unscrupulous don't adhere to statutory legislation that is why we struggle to make money. It's either the big boys or Joe Bloggs and wife who have no PLI and no true overheads that undercut us with some clients for whom price is all that matters.

They don't care if micro organisms are left in the premises as long as the job was cheap!

Sorry, we usually agree but I was at a seminar a month ago and I seemed to be the only one in attendance who a) knew of most legislation and b) followed it as far as practicable.

x

Some time ago I posted about H&S.some Prat tried to tell me I could,nt climb up a ladder to clear the guttering on my own House,( Because it was too High and I should have to use Scaffolding) If I did,nt he would report me and my Employer. After telling him what to do with himself(Politely of course) I realised what sort of society we now live in,Big Brothers and Little Hitlers who have no sense ( Comon or otherwise. **M**.

The things i worry about aernt economic though crime social decline to me are more important this is
where the country is failing and has been since 80s and before maybe
I just wish people were less selfish sometimes i do believe 80s start of social decline the look after myself thing has went on since then i think which has wrecked this country in some ways
I prefer a nice society to money in my pocket

This is one reason why I moved over to the UAE to work. Tax free etc and a cheaper life, petrol about 23p a litre, and things generally cheaper.

Merlin,

The working at heights legislation is the one that affects us the most. We have to pole upstairs windows instead of nipping up on a ladder. Soon we will have to look at that because of water conservation - so it looks like you will only get windows cleaned that are reached from ground level...

Sue