toonjamie

Agree on most points.

1 hour ago, Banker said:

Monitoring and disciplinary action against constant abuse is minimal in public sector, in private sector you would undoubtedly be managed out.

It's not that difficult. Based on an agreed formula, say the Bradford Factor. ("The Bradford Factor formula itself is: S² x D = B. This means that the number of spells of absence (S) is multiplied by itself, with that number then multiplied by the total number of days a person was absent (D) during a 52-week period") Agree a 'score' that triggers the Absence Management framework, ie improve attendance or will be managed out, usually via a Capability Policy. (If you're not there you're not capable of doing your job, irrespective of your talent.)

1 hour ago, Banker said:

The issue with sickness absence in civil service as a whole is that it’s roughly double private sector, why because majority get 6 months full pay & another 6 months half pay so no incentive to return.

Same 6mths+6mths in much of the finance sector, but with MUCH lower sickness levels. Reason - see my previous paragraph.

1 hour ago, Banker said:

This excludes genuine long term sickness for cancer, major operations etc. too many I’ve injured my back, leg , hand so unable to work but ok to go on holidays etc

Should it exclude these? It's not a matter of whether the sickness/injury is genuine, its the fact that if you're not there then you can't do your job. Obviously I would hope that some level of discretion/humanity is shown, but the default attitude should be that the civil service is not a charity.

25 minutes ago, Fred the shred said:

It seems harsh if Bride ratepayers are paying £250 per household against other parishes paying £50 they have very few amenities in Bride so the rates should be low.

Slightly disingenuous comment from Bride Commissioners. BC receive a (very) large amount of commercial rate (Island Aggregates etc) so that the residents themselves pay much LESS than £50 per household. The overall payment (if divided by number of houses) to NCAS is indeed higher than e.g. Lezayre, Garff (Maughold element of), simply because their total rateable value (residential + commercial) is proportionately higher. 

Bride residents currently pay rates (p in the £) about a quarter of what they would if they were part of Ramsey.

This could be existential for Bride Commissioners, Ramsey will be eyeing up those commercial rates.

[all off the top of my head and personal opinion, not that of Garff Commissioners, of which I am a member]

6 minutes ago, Molly Quirk said:

Braddan have announced. 36.5% increase

Every other authority will be thinking this would have been a good day to bury a 15-20% rise announcement.

50 minutes ago, newaccount said:

Found one of these cards. Tried to check the balance. Following instructions on website to scan the QR code and it doesn't display the card on the manage card page.

I've had one 'pinned' on my noticeboard for months, just done 'manage card' as above, certain there's some credit on it. Not recognised.

"'Mass austerity' the alternative to spending from reserves"

Was this a nudge from Dr A/Treasury to DOI to pull their fingers out, we need that money?

4 hours ago, Asthehills said:

LOL

I genuinely had no idea what you were on about so googled it and assume you thought I meant silicone sealant, which they apparently call caulk in the US of A?

No.  I meant decorators caulk that is used around door frames, skirting boards etc.

If you were trying to be a smart arse it really hasn’t gone very well.

What a dikc comment that was. Not you, AsTheHills, the other one, BladeRunny. Not to be into DIY and use decorator's caulk is one thing, but to be such an ignoramus as to try to belittle you for using the word. 

Words fail me, this forum really is populated by some toxic individuals. Such a waste.