The totally off-topic thread

[RAM]

Why do they do it, do you ask?? Just because they CAN! :evilo you think they'll use your call(s) for training purposes??? I betcha they don't! It's always fun asking them to bump you up the responsibility ladder - I use the expression "can we escalate this to your superior". Gets them scurrying, hopefully

Most of them do it because that's what their procedures manual (often a laminated A4 sheet on the battery hen wall in front of them) says to do. Going back over 20 years (pre-internet) one very very large (then) Aust Life company had it WRITTEN to refuse a claim 4 (or it could have been 5) times before sending to assessors. Finally someone who was sacked and worth nothing leaked a copy and it got hushed up but things did change. Shame about the literally millions of claims that were rejected prior to that though. From memory one person got 'fired' and a fine of less than $50,000.

With outsourced call centres once it is 'elevated' a cetain number of times it goes to the actual company that you were trying to deal with in the first place. Most contracts have a 'KPI' of less than 1 elevation to this level per x0,000 calls. So, like with cancelling trains so they are not recorded as late, guess what? Some call centre operators lie about who you are speaking with. That is why mentioning 'calling the company secretary' often does work wonders.

9 times out of 10 I do still call the company secretary as I suspect I rank as '1 out of Top X customers from hell for bad operators.'

Straw poll - how many have ever called and spoken with the Q company secretary, or Coles, or Woolworths, Telstra, CBA, Westpac (actually Gail Kelly's PA worked the wonders there), etc.

It does work.

Certain companies no longer have the contracts as contract call center or catalogue distributor anymore.

 

[RAM]

I am now thanking the stars that I am not yet 50

Getting closer every day......

Ever had one of those weeks where you just wish there was someone to tell you, "It's alright - you're doing your best - soldier on," and give you a hug to go with it?

Just one? At a time?

Whenever I get the run of those I think of how good it is when I don't and I need to appreciate the good ones more rather than take them for granted. Bit like waiting for the rain.

Ok. Whatever it was, shot or tablets, the Dr wouldn't give MrP the routine antivirals for treatment and just told him to take pain relief. He was within the window for it to work. I thought it was a "shot" like treatment for rabies.

.

Treat just like 'call center' refusal - get all your details, make sure they are correct. With meds it is possible to be mistaken but a talk with a local/good pharmacist can clear up info about a medication as can reading the PDF drug sheet from the big pharma company. Take particular note about 'exclusions' and 'adverse side effects'.

Drs make mistakes like anyone else. Unfortunately with my mothers case the 10-11 documented mistakes saw her have a stroke within 20 minutes of being discharged from PoW after she presented (with med background) saying she felt she might be having a stroke. 7 times given med that had armband on saying none of this (narcotics) tree due to severe adverse reactions. Head of Neurology then passed the buck "You're my witness you heard me tell X to ensure it was written up!" at 'Med conference'. What about his lack of follow-up...

So, if in doubt or even not in doubt - ask questions and pharmacists can be very good about why/not a medication.

 

[blackcat20]

Depending on how aggrieved you feel:

<> Did you get that reply in email? If not, politely email your understanding of the call/conversation to them for please reply if I am in error...

<> Wait a week. Then email them with CC to the Fed Govt (isn't it) workplace relations office (As I always tell people - Google it for the correct name).

Works for everything from 15 year olds at XYZ fast food to $4,000 / day consultants. Just make sure you've got your details 100% correct and attach a copy of relevant para to email back to your company on the email with 'cc'.

Yes it's in an email. If it's not sorted Monday I'll look into taking it further.

 

[QF WP]

Phew, it's hot in BNE today. Tomorrow is looking worse



Hope no air conditioners fail in the G20 hotels or Convention Centres

 

[QF WP]

Listening to Obama's speech at UQ, thanks to Foxtel and APAC channel 648

 

[Pushka]

Whoa. 42 in Brisbane is disgusting.

 

[RAM]

Whoa. 42 in Brisbane is disgusting.

That's what I cannot understand.

Anyone who lives in Brisbane knows that you leave for November as that is when the humidity and temperature can be loathsome. That's why there is a quiet time with virtually no sporting events of any kind.

Ah the penny dropped - a clever bureaucrat wanted to punish the world and particularly the Australian media waiting outside the venues etc.

 

[Pushka]

Or limit the numbers protesting. Heat or snow.

 

[cove]

blackcat20 I suggest you contact the paymaster to check your pay rather than anything else at this stage. If you have been absent through sickness this has to be validated and then checked to see if you have an entitlement to be paid based on any accrued sick leave (if your claim is approved).
Don't resign until you have a written alternative job offer that you have accepted in writing. If you do resign your accrued sick leave will be extinguished and you will commence your new position with zero accrued sick leave.
Of course this is not legal advice but rather a practical approach to resolving a payroll issue.

 

[blackcat20]

blackcat20 I suggest you contact the paymaster to check your pay rather than anything else at this stage. If you have been absent through sickness this has to be validated and then checked to see if you have an entitlement to be paid based on any accrued sick leave (if your claim is approved).
Don't resign until you have a written alternative job offer that you have accepted in writing. If you do resign your accrued sick leave will be extinguished and you will commence your new position with zero accrued sick leave.
Of course this is not legal advice but rather a practical approach to resolving a payroll issue.

I have more than adequate sick leave. I also spoke to payroll but they work part time. I also provided a medical certificate for my leave which has been accepted.

 

[cove]

Sounds like your issue will be resolved in the next payroll run blackcat20.
My thoughts are purely based on having been an employer for about 40 years rather than any legal rights.
It does pay to be patient if you don't have a plan B job signed up.

 

[amaroo]

Whoa. 42 in Brisbane is disgusting.

Love it! Really missed it last year ... -42 is harder to endure IME.

 

[serfty]

I thought if it got over 30° in Brisvegas the water steams up, forms clouds and thunderstorms which rain down on all and sundry, thus cooling everything down (but not doing much for the Humidity).

 

[blackcat20]

Sounds like your issue will be resolved in the next payroll run blackcat20.
My thoughts are purely based on having been an employer for about 40 years rather than any legal rights.
It does pay to be patient if you don't have a plan B job signed up.

Not really the point though, as waiting till next pay goes against my EBA and my right to be paid in a timely manner. When they recently underpaid me by three days they also expected me to wait another fortnight and I refused. They cannot withhold pay for no reason. It's been an ongoing problem all year and is getting ridiculous. You cannot arbitrarily underpay someone because your 'forgotten' their % EFT.

 

[JessicaTam]

Not really the point though, as waiting till next pay goes against my EBA and my right to be paid in a timely manner. When they recently underpaid me by three days they also expected me to wait another fortnight and I refused. They cannot withhold pay for no reason. It's been an ongoing problem all year and is getting ridiculous. You cannot arbitrarily underpay someone because your 'forgotten' their % EFT.

This has happened with us at work from time to time. I will get the details of the FWA complaint form you can fill in when I get home. Amazing the results that can have. And the lack of repeat problems.

 

[whatmeworry]

Listening to Obama's speech at UQ, thanks to Foxtel and APAC channel 648

Whoa. 42 in Brisbane is disgusting.

Weather really turned it on for Obama's speech.

 

[Katie]

I thought if it got over 30° in Brisvegas the water steams up, forms clouds and thunderstorms which rain done on all and sundry, thus cooling everything down (but not doing much for the Humidity).

We wish ... It's bone dry here, small storm last week. Walking on my grass is like walking on potato chips.

It seems to be either bone dry or flooding

 

[Pushka]

It rained in Adelaide today.

 

[serfty]

'Tis raining in Melbourne now - 20mm is predicted overnight ...

 

[amaroo]

On the pool deck, beer in hand ... lovely northerly sea breeze - in the distance I can see a backburning Op in full swing .... Summer is coming