OK, Panander. Correct me if I’m wrong, but what we heard here on this thread was about an unnamed tech, somewhere in the North (of England, one presumes), but working at any rate in the NHS. Apparently, following his three years service, he now feels hard done by when a new-hire has started at the same money as he himself is on. Later it was revealed that what the bloke was really after was to
potter about in the workshop for the fifteen years or so until retirement.
Do I feel sympathy for this guy? Absolutely not. And as a payer of taxes to HM Exchequer, frankly I’m not very happy that
my National Health Service is populated by such people at all.
You want some
constructive advice for people in such a predicament? OK, the guy goes to his manager, and says "OK Boss, this is what I can do for you ... 1) ... 2) ... 3) ...
etc. Now, what can you do for me"? I think it’s what John Sandham (and others) might call being
proactive!The trouble is, if you walk too many times, prospective employers will start wondering why you're unable to hold down a job.
It’s a valid point, on the face of things. Unless, of course, you’re like me and say "Who gives a damn what they think"? As an independent myself (
ie, someone without a regular pay cheque, and having to live by his wits), I find that there are people about who will pay you to do what they need to get done. Nothing more, nothing less. They don’t care about your past (or, for that matter, any precious
ego you may possess).
Rights to this, rights to that ... spare me please. Only those lucky (?) enough to work in over-sized public organizations like the British National Health Service (
eg, with security of tenure) have the luxury to start going down
that road, Mate.
People who don't believe that society is just one epic interpersonal battle for survival get together and start by at least discussing how they can collectively improve their lot and change the world for the better.
Yes, that just about sums it up (from where I sit, at any rate). I’m not saying that’s how I would like it to be (far from it, in fact). But that’s more or less how things stand in the real world.
Don't walk - if you believe in the NHS or the organisation you work for, stay and fight. Insist on the rights we already have. Otherwise only outsiders will be able to influence change.
I also believe passionately not only in the NHS (as it was originally conceived, that is), but in a fairer and more just society too. But, sticking to technical services within the NHS for the moment, change is just what
is needed (and, I would have thought,
radical change at that). And if that means "outsiders" storming the battlements of that cosy little world, in a drive towards an efficient and cost-effective service at the taxpayers’ expense, then I say "bring it on"!
