shame there isnt a like button function on this forum....

This subject turned out to be interesting. Perhaps I shouldn't have referred to the Guardian.
Sorry if it was a subject which had been discussed earlier-although I did try the search function where it didn't register.
I'm still of the opinion that real names should be used except for those issues involving whistle blowers and those where employees/employers require a degree of protection and similar situations as raised by some posts. As we are generally professional OHS personnel and members of IOSH it seems appropriate for real names to be the best way to communicate by respecting each others views.
There seems to be about 3 or 4 to 1 against the use of real names although those in favour are unsurprisingly those who use pseudonyms and aliases, etc. I'm not sure how many of the 800 or so hits would be in favour
And it should be pointed out that in the last few months there have been a number of occasions where I remember posters being made to feel so small or upset by harsh comments, unnecessarily.
I do support strongly the legal right to free speech, [i e Charlie Hebdo/cartoons/etc] but respect for others should be mandatory on these discussion forums and I do believe using real names is best.

And, walker, I'm unsure what your comment about 10 contributions in 8 months is supposed to mean? It's certainly not fear of commenting using my own name
I'm also retiring to pastures new too, in la belle France.
PS I have to agree that the protection given to whistle blowers in the UK is dreadfully inadequate.
In the US, some 20-25% of fines, etc. levied as a penalty for criminal behaviour of companies or organisations who have been 'dobbed in' to the authorities are paid to the whistle blower, good, eh?

Good summary Ashley

Go on !
Shove it down our throats why dontcha?
;-))

Great comment which should be taken to heart by some posters, yet it won't! It's hard to change ingrained rudeness.