Given one wish for new year I would like to see the return of some good old common sense in our industry. However being a realist I accept the latter is unlikely so my next wish is that the so-called HSE Myth Busters would disappear up their own...chimneys. What a serious waste of time and resources - I cringe every time I see another one of their offerings. God only knows what people outside this industry make of it all, the media must be tickled pink.

So, what's in your wish list?

Ooh you poor thing!

Try working as a freelance self employed consultant. No paid holidays, no sick pay and definitely no pay rises. The only "pay" we get is what we earn by first marketing our services, following up prospects (often fruitlessly) and then doing the work before being paid. Many clients want something for nothing or a first class 24/7 service for the annual cost of a part time cleaner. Some clients don't pay until they receive the red letter and some don't pay at all.

Still, I would rather do a real job that some taxpayer funded non-job in the public sector.

I think Ray was looking for something a little more 'meaningful' or 'profound' as opposed to "I want a pay rise".

Bigrab, I can both sympathise and empathise with the main body of your post, it's such a shame you felt the need to conclude it by having a 'pop' at the public sector using what some might consider to be an offensive and sweeping generalisation.

........ that ALL my clients listen to me & put into action what I advise, that I am not needed & subsequently work myself out of a job to play more golf & have fun with our grandkids...... about as much chance of nailing blancmange to a ceiling I suppose, but it's a wish anyway.