The totally off-topic thread

[NM]

Just checked....I have nearly 27 weeks' worth of sick leave:shock:. Clearly, i have not been "gaming the system" well enough....

You prompted me to go and have a look at my current leave entitlements:

Annual Leave - 69 hours (or 9.2 days)
Personal (Sick and Carer's) leave - 1733 hours (or 231 days, or 46 weeks)
Long Service Leave - 333 hours (or 44.4 days, or 8.8 weeks)

That is a total of 2135 hours, or 284.7 days, or almost 57 weeks.

Now all I need is a doctor to give me a certificate to say I am unfit for work for the next year

But in reality, I hope I never have to use that Personal leave. While its nice to know there as an "insurance" policy there, using it all would mean someone (me or my family) is very unwell. Until a few months ago, there was no way to see how much personal (sick and carer's) leave I had available. Reports only showed annual and long-service leave. I was shocked when I saw the amount of personal (sick and carer's) leave available to me. Its a shame it does not get paid out if I leave the company.

 

[blackcat20]

I can understand the reasoning behind asking for money - since many couples live together/pool their things/getting married later in life , so likely to be pretty well set up in the house dept. But I LOATHE being asked for money - I always feel they would be running a tape over how much $$ you give, as opposed to just suspecting you're a cheapskate by your gift!Peters of Kensington is my go-to spot, so many specials and the delivery charges to Melbourne still make it worthwhile buyuing. Great specials too.
One gift I give is from Made in Japan, we buy cotton kimonos (yakatas?), in reverse colours, white on navy and navy on white. Kind of groovy and modern.

Easier in my day. 40 years ago when we got married we scored 3 fondue sets - in orange, bright green and bright blue. Verrrry smart.

I love Peters of Kensington, but they made a bit of a mess with my Christmas gifts last year...

Not so keen on giving money either; I can get a more expensive gift on sale versus being judged for the amount of cash I gift...

 

[Buzzard]

You prompted me to go and have a look at my current leave entitlements:

Annual Leave - 69 hours (or 9.2 days)
Personal (Sick and Carer's) leave - 1733 hours (or 231 days, or 46 weeks)
Long Service Leave - 333 hours (or 44.4 days, or 8.8 weeks)

That is a total of 2135 hours, or 284.7 days, or almost 57 weeks.

Now all I need is a doctor to give me a certificate to say I am unfit for work for the next year

But in reality, I hope I never have to use that Personal leave. While its nice to know there as an "insurance" policy there, using it all would mean someone (me or my family) is very unwell. Until a few months ago, there was no way to see how much personal (sick and carer's) leave I had available. Reports only showed annual and long-service leave. I was shocked when I saw the amount of personal (sick and carer's) leave available to me. Its a shame it does not get paid out if I leave the company.

When I used to work for the Guvenment where people never left, those that didn't have a "friendly" doctor would start working short weeks due to sickness where a certificate wasn't required, years before retirement. Strangely it was a trend for people to be unwell on Mondays and Fridays.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

OT or OT - not sure. IYHO good people - what is actually most common maximum intl cabin baggage size - 55 x 40 x 25? 50 x 45 x 25? Sum of all 3 sides should not exceed 115cm for most intl carriers is it not?

115 is fine. there are few exceptions to this... qantas domestic is one (b767... hard to fit bags) and some airlines have not enlarged their upper deck overhead bins on 747s.

otherwise, with the exception of small jets where most people gate check anyway, I've never had an issue.

some retailers are slightly misleading though, they'll describe the bag as a 115 but then the wheels might be extra. that extra inch can make the difference between closing a bin or not. I'm puzzled why they can't include the wheels in the overall dimensions.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Thanks for responses on COL dimns - have an idea for a new product - will get a sample made and post some pics.

 

[amaroo]

Some huge sick leave numbers......sure sign of healthy and happy employees.

Have a few friends that work for QLD teachers union...now they have a huge, almost unlimited never ending source of sick leave due to pooling provisions.

Nice work - if you can get it.

 

[NM]

When I used to work for the Guvenment where people never left, those that didn't have a "friendly" doctor would start working short weeks due to sickness where a certificate wasn't required, years before retirement. Strangely it was a trend for people to be unwell on Mondays and Fridays.

Many years ago (well over 20 years) Mrs NM resigned from a job with a local council, and at that time they paid out a portion of unused sick leave, depending on how many years of employment. She had between 5 and 10 years of service, so was paid 25% of he unused sick leave. I understand that rate would have increased to 50% after 10 years of service, 75% after 15 years, and 100% after 20 years. Quite lucrative for healthy long-term employees. Pity it doesn't apply to me

 

[NM]

Some huge sick leave numbers......sure sign of healthy and happy employees.

Have a few friends that work for QLD teachers union...now they have a huge, almost unlimited never ending source of sick leave due to pooling provisions.

Nice work - if you can get it.

And it comes down to lifestyle as well.

I generally work from home, so if unwell with a cold or other minor condition that may keep me out of the office (so as not to pass it on to others), when working form home its easier to just push on get the work done, especially if there are deadlines and deliverables that are still going to waiting for you when the unwellness has passed.

Or as with me this week, I have two doctor's appointments (nothing serious, one is a regular check-up that QF WP can relate to). Each will take about 2 hours when including travel time and the scheduled appointment. But I will still be completing well in excess of my required minimum weekly work hours, and no overtime payment of course, so no point in logging it as Personal/Sick leave. I just look at it as flexibility in my working time - take time during normal business hours for the appointments (that cannot be done after hours) and complete my work tasks during the evenings. Works out well for both me and my employer.

 

[cove]

We fixed Monday and Friday absenteeism by re-allocating $200 a day off their gross bonus entitlement to the ones who did their work.
When I was an employee I had one day off.

 

[JohnK]

Damn..
Blame the Caddy!

And my golf would still be going downhill.

Going through a form slump is not so bad but my Thailand trips are golf trips and the bad golf leaves a sour taste. Need to get golf back on track next trip....

 

[TheEmu]

After 21 years as a bag-smasher…err…handler at Ansett, my F-I-L chucked a big heartie then went in for a triple by-pass. During his convalescence it was apparent that he was not going to be able to go back to that job so the local manager started mounting pressure on him to quit. Big John called the boss' boss in BNE who promptly turned up in TSV with words to the effect: "21 years without pulling a sickie or a missed shift - you still have over 12 months sick leave left: when you've used all of that up, we can organise for you to retire early on medical grounds and get your full super entitlements." And that is exactly what happened (7 years before Ansett went belly-up).

 

[Pukka]

Vodafone to cap global roaming fees at $5 per day!

Now that Is a good move I'm sick of changing SIM cards

Only applies to UK, US & NZ though and I'm on Telstra

 

[straitman]

Now all I need is a doctor to give me a certificate to say I am unfit for work for the next year

When I finished work a couple of years ago I took 15 months of leave LS leave and sick leave prior to retiring. Unfortunately the sick leave taken was for real and for major surgery.

 

[JohnM]

In 40 years' work, I only ever had three single days off sick and no cashing-out of any unused sick leave - but I'd rather be healthy than wanting to 'get my money's worth' .

It's the same with private health insurance - I'm very happy to pay for it but I hope to use it as little as possible .

 

[Simo]

Self employed..

No sick leave or holiday leave either...

Positive no Boss to argue when I want some time off or be late for work either.

 

[blackcat20]

I think I've had three sick days at my current job, all legitimate. I'm owed as much sick leave as I am annual leave, pity it can't be used/cashed out.

 

[legroom]

Self employed..

No sick leave or holiday leave either...

Positive no Boss to argue when I want some time off or be late for work either.

Can't write a med certificate to yourself either

 

[QF WP]

Fondue, mmmm

Julesmac has got enough for a Cheese Fongue followed by a Chocolate one for dessert - with one set used for the bread/fruit.

I wouldn't be able to move for a week after partaking in that lunch/dinner.

I love those Yukatas.. So delightfully comfortable..
& as for the the pastel fondue sets.. I believe they are back in vogue..:mrgreen:
What better to do on a winter day - enjoy a fondue - good company & complemented with some quality schnapps..

 

[bass_ke]

My first non VA flight since gaining SG today. I'm sat at OOL staring longingly through the white curtains at the purple mood lighting if the lounge.

It's wild down here at this time of day!

 

[erkpod]

So what happens if a doctor is sick & they can't go to work? Can they write their own medical certificate?