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#1 Posted : 23 November 2007 10:56:00(UTC)
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Posted By holmezy

Morning All,

I've just read with interest some of the comments on a thread "holiday entitlement" and there are, it seems a few folk that have questioned its merit as a safety related thread. Which is fair enough, but not worth getting upset about. Then I read a thread "Friday rant on a Wednesday" which is definately NOT relative to H+S in any way shape or form, yet there are no "is this safety related" type comments at all. Surely as H+S people we should at least be consistant?

Oh and before anyone mentions it, this thread probably has little to do with H+S either, however, I am a H+S bod, do take my job, but not my life, seriously and do acknowledge I'm wrong sometimes, and probably most improtant, I do ask for advice when I dont know what the hell is going on!!!

Soon be beer time!!

Have a chilled weekend all.

Holmezy
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#2 Posted : 23 November 2007 11:12:00(UTC)
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Posted By Michael
Holmezy

Hear hear.

well said.

Michael

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#3 Posted : 23 November 2007 11:21:00(UTC)
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Posted By Heather Collins
Holmezy

I think the concern from some of us in the holidays thread wasn't simply that it wasn't a H&S issue - I enjoy the Friday rant as much as anyone. The issue was more that the question required a response from an HR professional. In the event the OP ends up getting a load of "well I don't really know, but here's what we did in my company" responses from well-meaning safety professionals. Now while this is very nice, it doesn't give the authoritative answer that the questioner really wants, simply a bunch of opinions and stories.

It may well be that there is someone on here that is also an HR professional and can give the relevant info, but as our antiquated forum format (oh dear, there I go again on that hobby horse) doesn't allow you to see profiles of posters it's not obvious to the OP whether anyone in the thread really knows the answer or we're all just giving "best guess" advice.

Certainly my response in the thread was meant to direct the poster to ask elsewhere to get a decent answer, not to be "elitist" or snobby about what the forum is for.
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#4 Posted : 23 November 2007 12:18:00(UTC)
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Posted By holmezy
Heather,

yes, I understand that the "don't know, but" brigade's answers are, sometimes, unhelpful. However, to answer any question, in most cases, you don't need to be an expert. I'm not an expert in HR and dont want to be, but I do know, that holidays can be forced and forfeited, as I stated. How do I know? Well, I asked someone and then looked up the info at the correct source, (WTD, which is "partly" enforced by the HSE as I have been reliably informed) If answering questions was only open to "experts" then this forum would be very dull. At the end of the day, its an open forum, and yes, some people do ask "odd" questions, in most cases quite innocently, however, I don't think its courteous nor polite to offer an answer that is based around the "not H+S, so go away" approach. In these cases, no answer at all is preferable. Surely, if we know the answer, or can offer genuine help, then thats what we should do,,,,,,if we are happy to do so on a public forum. If we are not, or get upset with the question, then dont respond.
If all H+S professionals took the stance that they were not goiing to help anyone other than in issues that they are "expert" in, then the press and the "knockers" will feast forever, and normal people will see us as "dictators in ivory towers". Lets try and at least appear to be human!
All of the above is my, or part of my, opinion. Not aimed to anger you, or anyone else. I don't know your background, however, as you take custard with your cake, then you cant be all bad.

Apologies to those who get upset, however, no apologies to those who disagree with me, it is part of what we are....all different, and entitled to ask question, whether apt or not, and to offer an opinion....or even help, if possible.

Now I'm off to get some flour, eggs, lemon zest, custard powder and milk.....I,ve got a cake to bake!! or is it a pudding? oh dear.....

Still chillin Chickens...

Even nearer to beer time

Holmezy
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#5 Posted : 23 November 2007 14:22:00(UTC)
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Posted By Peter Taylor14
Heather is right, if someone wants a response from a safety practitioner then this is the forum no matter how much that thread meanders in the context of "at my company we do/did this that or the other" But as the question is HR related and our people can only best guess (not one mentioned the Employment Rights Act)why ask here. I wouldnt ask for petrol in a pet shop, you wouldnt put cinema in a search engine if you wanted a train etc etc etc
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#6 Posted : 23 November 2007 14:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By Steve Cartwright
I think some of you have too much time on your hands.
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#7 Posted : 23 November 2007 14:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By Peter Taylor14
NFI
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#8 Posted : 23 November 2007 15:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By DP
For whats it worth - I think it was a valid question.

We all have friends and colleagues in this game who cover many things which includes HR.

Quality, environment, security, facilities the list goes on! We get it all!

So why cant we share that knowledge to help people?

The stuff we have to deal with would also qualify us for the position of agony aunts in the press - your smiling now but you know it's true!!

Read the treads posted and if you can help then help. If you cant don't, that includes any guessing.

Have a nice weekend.

DP
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