Reduncancy (maybe) and retirement beckons

Some of my previous posts highlighted the stresses and strains of deciding to retire. Retiring is a significant life step, so it mustn't be taken lightly, but it can also be a liberating and positive decision.

Earlier today my company announced more redundancies, having only completed a round earlier this year. Redundancies suck, even if you're not directly affected. Productivity sinks as folk reevaluate things. Even if you're position is safe, it is natural that you ask searching questions about what you want in the future. Is this still the company you see yourself working for? How can I protect myself from any future redundancies?

The tech industry is going through a hard time of late. One look at LinkedIn and it tells you there are lots of folk being laid off. The good news is there are jobs out there, even if the competition for them is more challenging.

I'm waiting to see with bated breath if I'll be affected. I already know that others around me are. News like this is upsetting and sucks all energy from you. A state of inertia everywhere sees everyone stop doing real work and ask questions. People like certainty, and without it, you can't function effectively.

I'm in a lucky position. I'm at the tail end of my career. If the worst happens I won't be too bothered. That's not that I won't feel shocked. I want to retire on my terms, not someone else's, but it won't be the end of the world. 

Over the last year, I've thought about retirement and how I'd fill my days. Voluntary work is something I want to pursue, as is improving my golf, and learning Arabic. Whilst the general themes are beginning to be fleshed out, the detail has yet to be firmed up. It is this that is the most unsettling as I'd hoped to have this sorted before the fateful day when I turn off the laptop for the last time.

Whatever happens in the next few days, you can be sure I'll be OK. I'm thankful to have spent (to date) 47 years paying my taxes. I've had a whale of a time making many friends and even more fond memories. So if I'm made redundant I'll raise a glass to the past, and another to the future.

Thomas Edison: Thank you for your rechargeable battery

I'm sitting here on our sofa with my laptop on my knee. I've logged on to various websites using 2FA requiring authentication using my mobile phone. There's nothing unusual about this. In today's world, we rely on being to move around whilst using our electronic devices without the need for connecting leads to the mains socket.

This requires us to have a rechargeable battery and we've been using them for years, but how long exactly? 20 years? 50 maybe? You may be surprised to read that the rechargeable battery was invented over 120 years ago. What's more, it was seen as a precursor for electric vehicles.

Yes back in the 1890s one Thomas Edison, the one also responsible for electricity generation, sound recording, motion pictures, and more, found time in his extraordinary life to invent an alkaline battery to replace the unreliable lead acid battery used to date.

So as you go about your day hovering, drilling, or just tweeting, let's be thankful for one of the most visionary inventors of the Victorian era. His impact on our lives should not be underestimated.

My online security "Whoa" moment

I've worked in IT all my adult life and more than a few in the data security sphere. You'd think I know everything I'd need to know about IT security, but occasionally something makes me sit back and take notice. Our online world is something that requires a multitude of logins, passwords, and security questions, and making sure they are secure is a constant battle.

Passwords are your first line of defence, yet you'd be surprised how many people use the same password in multiple places. Some even use passwords like "password", "qwerty", or "123456"! All three of these are listed in the top 25 passwords revealed in various data breaches. Password strength is of paramount importance. The longer and more complex the better. So is additional security like two-factor authentication (2FL) offered by some sites.

Having a password manager helps. It means you only have to remember one login and password for the password manager itself, and it records the logins and passwords for the various accounts you use. It also helps generate secure passwords. Some even give an indication of how long it would take for someone to crack it.

The point of this post and what contributed to my "whoa" moment wasn't anything to do with passwords. It was to do with account recovery. You know those security questions you're asked to complete on some accounts. Things like:

• What was the name of your first school?
• In which city were you born?
• What is your mother's maiden name?
• What was the make of your first car?

When faced with this scenario, how did you answer? If like me you gave honest answers, join me in detention after school. Here's the thing, there is no reason why you should give honest answers. In fact, the site wouldn't know even if you were. So what are the reasons for disobeying your parents and being dishonest?

To answer this, let's go back to the strong passwords. Using what some consider strong passwords, could make it easier for criminals to gain information about you. Armed with this information you or others can be tricked into a scam. Plus if they know information about you and you use this as one of your passwords, that's your account compromised.

So what's the answer? Well obviously false information about yourself. One idea I've heard about is using a fictional character. If you answer the security questions using your imagination of what the character would answer, you've a unique set of answers. Remember they don't even have to be real objects. Let your imagination run wild.

Top tips for visiting Venice

Venice. The city of bridges, canals, and masks. The Queen of the Adriatic. It is a magical place and one of the most visited European locations. Whether you arrive by plane, train, road, or water, there's so much to see in just over 100 small islands. So if you're planning a trip to Venice, what do you need to know?

Taking rests

Venice is a wonderful city full of interesting architecture, historical significance, and beautiful vistas. It is easy to get around, but like any city break it can be tiring on the feet. After a while the need to rest those weary feet, but beware. 

Venice is a very old city. It is not built for your modern tourist's needs. There are precious few places where you can sit down. The narrow streets do not allow room for benches. Plus in some of the popular locations like St.Mark's Square, it is explicitly forbidden to sit down. In fact there you're not allowed to eat or drink unless it is in one of the cafes. Sit down and you'll be politely asked to move on by one of the city's staff.

If you feel the need to rest, pop into a cafe and watch the world go by. Venice has an unfair reputation for being expensive. There are certainly places where you can easily spend a small fortune for an expresso and a piece of cake, but there are also loads of places with a more reasonably priced fayre. If in doubt, just watch where the locals hang out.

Venice is a very walkable city, but if walking all day isn't for you, get around on the water. Whether it is an expensive but compulsory gondola ride or one of the water taxis, travelling on the water is a great way to move around. Plus it gives you a chance to sit down and rest those weary feet.

The islands

With over 100 islands in the lagoon, Venice deserves more than just a flying visit. Most tourists stay in or near the centre. There's certainly a lot to see here, but it is a real shame not to visit some of the surrounding islands. Among the most popular with tourists are Morano, Burano, and Torcello. The most popular ferry for these leaves from the piers on Fundamente Nove, but you can also get there from other locations. Beware, ferries are the buses of Venice and can get very busy, especially in the peak tourist season.

Morano is famous for its glass factories. They're output is available everywhere in Venice, but it isn't cheap. Each factory has it's own style, from the more traditional to the more modern. To be honest, there isn't a lot to see on Morano apart from the glass factories, so if seeing it made isn't your thing maybe give it a miss. You can buy their glass anywhere in Venice after all.

Burano is a short ferry ride from Morano. If you only go to one island, go here. It is picturesque, quieter, and great to stroll around. Famous for its brightly coloured houses, it is a photographer's dream location. Just wander around before sitting down for something to eat and drink. Just be aware that outside of the high season, most of the restaurants and shops tend to shut around 5pm. Oh, and don't miss the last ferry home!

Torcello has a much more relaxed feel. There's some lovely walks through the fields, which is a great to escape the tourist crowds visiting the 7th century cathedral. This is the main sight on the island and is worth a short detour.

If travelling on a busy Vaporetto with standing room to another busy location isn't your thing, you can do a lot worse than visit one of the less visited islands. Lido is a great island for those who like a beach. It has a more relaxed feel and the beaches are only a 15 minute walk from the ferry terminal.

There are two beaches of note. A public one is free, but is located slightly further away and isn't bad. It has a small cafe and is reasonably neat and tidy. The private beach is much larger, and tickets for it can be bought at the entrance. There's a large bar and cafe serving food and drink, as well as seats on the beach. It also has changing facilities.

Getting around

It is worth buying a travel card to get around the city. They are available for 1, 2, 3, or 7 days and can be bought from the ferry ports, airport, as well as tobacconists throughout the city. If you buy from a tobacconist, they only accept cash though. The tickets can be used on pretty much everything, including the Vaporettos and even the airport bus.

Tickets must be validated before you travel or join one of the queues. There are machines at every ferry port. Don't be tempted not to validate them though. There are regular checks, and if caught with an unvalidated ticket you'll be fined. 

Eating

A real joy of any holiday is sampling the local cuisine. If you think of Italian cuisine, you probably think of pizza and pasta. Whilst it is true that they are classics, limiting yourself to these when in Italy is tantamount to heresy. That's not to say there aren't some of the best pizza and pasta dishes, just that there is so much else to savour. For a start, there's the seafood. Venice in particular has a wide variety of seafood on offer, so why not take the plunge.

Eating out in Venice need not be expensive. There's a wide variety of places to eat. There's everything from well-known international fast food brands to Michelin star restaurants, and local trattorias serving traditional food in between. If money is an issue, you can do a lot better than Burger King or McDonalds. There are any number of local restaurants selling pizza slices for a few Euros. They're damn good too. 

The local trattorias are a great option for an authentic Venetian meal. Some trade on the tourists a little too much, so don't feel shy about politely saying "No grazie Signore" if they push yet another bottle of wine on you.

Marco Polo Airport

Arriving at Venice's main airport is a joy. Once out you've options for reaching the city. There's an airport bus costing approximately 11 Euros and taking 20 minutes, that drops you off in Piazzale Roma. If you can afford it, the best way to experience Venice is to do what the locals do, use the water. A return ticket on one of the water taxis is an excellent introduction to Venetian life and costs about 35 Euros. If you really want to live the high life, there's always one of the highly polished private water taxis, but bring your credit card!

When the time comes to leave Venice, there are things you need to know. Before security, there are really only a limited selection of food and drink outlets. If you want a proper meal, go through and you'll find a selection of more hearty fayre on the upper level.

My top tip is to ensure you have a bag ready for any duty-free you buy. An admirable but expensive stance at the airport is not to give out plastic bags. They do a roaring trade on reusable bags, but at 3.50 Euros a pop, these don't come cheap. They will give you a paper bag if you ask, but these are not really fit for purpose for those large wine bottles.

An anglicised Irishman's view of King Charles III's coronation

I'm not anti-monarchy, but I am the product of an Irish family. My forefathers saw the British royal family as representing an occupying power. Despite having spent almost all of my life in England, I'm not British. I was born in Ireland, still have an Irish passport, and will die an Irishman.

Despite my heritage, my view of the UK royal family is mixed. I don't pay a huge amount of attention to them, because they don't really affect my day-to-day life. I've nothing against them personally, but I wish they were a bit more personable and relevant to today's society. The UK royal family are an anomaly. Something moulded out of thousands of years of tradition and patronage.

That's all fine, but it is not a representation of my life or those around me. Their world is one of privilege. From the moment they are born, their destiny is determined. Whether they like it or not, their journey through life is set. I feel for them, as they must occasionally just want to say, "No. I want to have a normal life thank you very much."

I remember Ian Hislop the Editor of Private Eye, saying of Prince William, that his "job" until he became King was to be as boring as possible." Something he said he was pretty good at. At least Prince William won't have to be boring for as long as his Dad. A conversation between King Charles and someone queuing to pay their respects in the long queue to pass by his Mother's coffin went...

Q: Have you been waiting long?

A: Not as long as you your Majesty.

I'll be doing my best not to watch the coronation. I say "my best" because it has been wall to wall media coverage this last week. Even the disastrous election results suffered by the Tory's yesterday are hardly being mentioned. I hope that changes once normality resumes. So the TV will remain switched off until the news later when I may watch the edited highlights. That's about as much as I can stand.

I've thought long and hard about why I'm so ambivalent about such events, and have come to the following conclusions:

• I'm not a massive fan of Charles. This has nothing to do with Diana. It's just that I find him to be a bit of a relic from the past. He's tried hard to show his interests, but having a father like his, and having the dress sense of an Edwardian gentleman do him no favours. Even the way he speaks makes me cringe. Who in their right mind would want to be his PR guru?
  
  
• My background is certainly a factor. My family were of a Republican bent, and some fought the British in the early part of the 20th century. Others were part of the early Irish government and Garda Síochána, the Irish police force. Others fought alongside their British compatriates against Hitler, and some paid a heavy price. This certainly gives me a nuanced and more balanced view of the British establishment.
  
  
• As someone with a balanced view of most things, I ask if there is a need for such events. There is no legal necessity for the coronation. It is just tradition and pure theatre. I do wonder if the money our Monarchy and Government have plundered on these few days could have been better spent.
  
  
• The mainstream media's sycophantic coverage is the worst of the lot. In these days of 24 hour rolling news broadcasts, the role of the TV anchor is to project manage the filling of time. The reporter's job is to find any angle no matter how tenuous, and ask the most ridiculous and boring questions. It must be a tough gig. The screengrab accompanying this post illustrates everything that's wrong with the media's coverage of such events.
  
  
• Finally, and by no means least, I just don't have time to be glued to a TV screen for hours on end. Life goes on whether there's a coronation or not. I've got stuff to do that I see as more important.

So that's why I'm here writing this, rather than watching a privileged old man get a crown, made of jewels mostly plundered from some part of this country's colonial empire, look very uncomfortable as it is placed on his head. I won't be won't be swearing allegiance to the King as part of the ceremony. It's a misguided addition to the proceedings.

I wish King Charles all the best for his reign. I hope he manages to navigate his ceremonial duties whilst achieving a degree of modernisation. I applaud his work with different faith groups. The UK is a very different and diverse nation compared to the one his Mother inherited in 1952.

Being King, or heir to the throne, is not a job I'd ever want. Give me my life any day. Would I go as far as becoming a republic? No. I think the Monarchy has a place in UK society, just not as it currently exists. A more slimmed-down and approachable version would be my preference.

Beer, just not as you know it

What's your favourite beer?

Maybe you'd say lager, or stout, or mild. Maybe you'd plump for a brand name, but I bet you wouldn't say a powdered beer.

"A what?" you cry. Yes, a powdered beer that you just have to mix with water to enjoy. I must admit that an exclamation was my initial reaction also when I heard about the concept. That can't be right, or good for that matter. I had to do some research to find out more.

German brewery Klosterbrauerei Neuzelle has perfected the powered beer that just needs to be mixed with water to turn it into a lager. The omens are good if the standard of German breweries is anything to go by. 

The reasons for the powdered beer are environmental. According to the brewery, it will reduce its CO2 emissions between 3-5% in Germany alone. Instead of large and heavy bottles and crates, the beer would be delivered in powder packets. What's more, if the beer's rollout was mirrored worldwide, CO2 emissions could be halved.

If this all sounds too good to be true, well it is! The beer is currently alcohol free, but the brewery has plans to develop a range of alcohol filled beers. They say, 

“We want the complete beer taste. We have the foam and already have the beer taste. We want to add carbon dioxide in powder form. We want to add the alcohol in powder form. We can do all that with powder.”

Call me old fashioned, but I'll stick with my initial reaction. I wouldn't touch this beer with a bargepole. Not only does powdered beer fail the high standard of Germany's brewing industry, but it doesn't provide the effect of drinking alcohol. What is the point of that?

S Club 7 becomes just S Club again

OK. I confess. I'm a secret S Club 7 fan. Why secret? Well as a male in his early 40s, it seemed inappropriate to watch six singers, who could easily be the same age as my children, smile and dance to their latest smash hit. There's little doubt that their good looks made it easier to like them, but that wasn't all. You can have the best looking bandmates, but if your music isn't up the much, you won't get far. 

Thankfully the songwriting team behind S Club 7 knew precisely what type of music to produce for them. Call it lightweight if you like, but there is no denying that it fitted the group's persona perfectly. What's more, it appealed to a wider demographic than just the teenage age group. I should know!

To really be a music fan, you need colour and contrast to be able to find a piece of music to fit an occasion. You wouldn't normally play Led Zeppli's "Black Dog" to walk down the aisle to, but neither would you play James Blunt's "Your Beautiful" if you wanted to let your hair down. Good music is good music.

I don't buy the argument that one music genre is better than another. It's important to have a wide musical appreciation to be a well rounded individual. Take my music collection as an example. It features everyone from AC/DC and ABBA to Ward Thomas and Yes. There's jazz, heavy metal, garage, dance, classical, world music, and even some spoken word in there. There's something in there for any occasion. 

The death of Paul Cattermole recently at the young age of 46 was incredibly sad. As a former  member of S Club 7, he'd come of age in the media spotlight. A shy individual, his life didn't seem to fit well with the glamour of pop stardom. Financial problems later in life were the result of not being able to recreate his success as a solo singer. Not even his relationship with fellow singer Hannah Spearitt would last.

Yes poor old Hannah. It must be a particularly difficult time for her. They'd known each other since school, although it was only after they joined S Club 7 that their friendship turned into something deeper. When they broke up, they remained good friends so Paul's death must have come as a bolt out of the blue.

There are many questions regarding Paul's passing, but most should be left unanswered. It is not for the likes of me to ponder the circumstances of his death, especially at this time. The only question I'd like to get answered eventually is whether the planned S Club 7 reunion concerts will go ahead. I'd totally understand if they didn't, but the disappointment if this were to happen would be testimony to a group and it's music that has touched music lovers around the world.

n last year S Club announced a series of reunion concerts. What will happen with those now is anyone's guess.

Who'd be a Wimbledon fan?

Supporting a football team can be one of the most depressing and soul-destroying experiences life can throw at you. To illustrate this author Nick Hornby once said, 

"The natural state of a football fan is bitter disappointment, no matter what the score." 

Well, he is an Arsenal fan! In all seriousness, the occasional euphoria gained after a 96th winner is put into perspective by too many heavy defeats at home to a team at the bottom of the league.

As an AFC Wimbledon fan sucks at this precise moment! Today we drew away at Harrogate. Normally you'd be happy with such a result. A long away trip against a team who are no better or worse than you, a draw is arguably a fair result. The trouble is that having been 2-0 up today with 86 minutes gone only to draw having conceded two late goals, it feels like a loss.

Unless you're a Premier League team owned by a conglomerate with deep pockets and an insatiable appetite for success, your team has to expect the odd, "Oh FFS!" result. It is part of the price for devoting all that time and money to follow your team. After all, if you won four or five nil every single week, the thrill and excitement would soon disappear. The real reason we do it is that we enjoy the misery of not always winning. It gives us a reason to moan and cry into our beer with our friends.

Of course, there are limits. We Wimbledon fans know all about limits. The hiatus of the club's move to (cough) Milton Keynes in 2002 is precisely why we exist as AFC Wimbledon today. It is also why that football team in Buckinghamshire is despised by the football fraternity well beyond London SW19.

We're near one of those limits this season. Some fans think we've already gone well past it. What limit is that? Throwing away games from winning positions. We've dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the EFL. Just how many points is that?

71!

Yes, that's right. 71 points would normally be enough to reach a playoff place at the season's end. It's also head and shoulders more points that we've lost than any of the other contenders. It beggars belief.

We fans are struggling to explain why the team seems so incapable of winning a game after leading by two goals. What is especially galling is that more than a few of the recent capitulations have happened in the last five or ten minutes. Is it poor game management, tactics, or inexperience?

Whatever it is, can it please stop? It's boring now.

Maori culture: Alive and well in New Zealand

"When one chief disappears, another is ready to appear."

This Maori proverb perfectly sums up the handover of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to her successor. It was smooth enough not to warrant any newsworthy comment of note outside of Australasia. Perhaps that's fitting for a woman who closely mirrors the New Zealand stereotype. 

Her last speech in parliament - click on the image to hear it on the BBC News website - was also an example of how to bow out with grace. Not only was it honest and emotional, but it was also self-deprecating. How often do you hear that about someone in politics these days?

What struck me more than anything else was the nod to the Maori people and culture. Not only did Jacinda wear the traditional cloak, but she also finished her speech in the Maori dialect. That in itself isn't too surprising as children are taught it at school, but still. Then there was dancing in the chamber. Such a nod to the Maori culture demonstrated that whilst not everything is perfect in New Zealand, they acknowledge the original inhabitants of the islands they inhabit.

Their neighbours in Australia could do well to learn and learn from their near neighbour if it is to address the issues of Aboriginal rights.

The prize for best Parkrun April Fool goes to...

1st April. It's a day to be on the ball from the get-go. Wake up with a fuzzy head, and you'll be caught out by someone playing an April Fool joke on you. The days when the main threats were our TV current affairs programmes or newspapers are long gone. These days the real danger comes online.

It seems like our friends at Parkrun UK encouraged local Parkruns to have some fun today judging by the sheer number of events playing jokes on unsuspecting runners and walkers today. Surely my fellow amateurs wouldn't be taken in by such sleight of hand.

The bar was set high by Parkrun UK themselves on Twitter who declared, "NEW PARKRUN WORLD RECORD ALERT. Huge congratulations to Ace Celerate who this morning set a new Parkrun world record at Woolacombe Dunes, with a time of nine minutes and 58 seconds     #loveparkrun"

The name Ace Celerate was a bit of a giveaway, as was the location of Woolacombe Dunes. It is a Parkrun almost entirely on a sandy beach, making a world record time virtually impossible. The real clincher was a time under 10 minutes. We don't know Ace's gender, but the fastest ever 5km run was 12 minutes 35 seconds. Running over 20% faster on sand would be quite some feat.

But who won the prize for the best April Fool?

Admirable mentions go to:

• Redcar Parkrun for changing the rules of Parkrun by asking participants not to wear brightly coloured clothes or trainers for fear that they upset the wildlife.
• Bath Skyline Parkrun who informed participants that the National Trust had added 13 additional steps to the course.
• The original Parkrun at Bushy Park offered a treat for any runners who'd injured themselves in training. Why not hop around on one leg to keep it in good condition. They also offered "a special treat for April, refreshments will be served at halfway. Anyone stopping will be entitled to 2 mins off their time."
• Eastville Parkrun tried their best to confuse finishers with, "We've just had news that a recent update to the Parkrun virtual volunteer app has a glitch that's been discovered in testing. This glitch means that barcodes must be presented ndsıpǝ poʍu for scanning at today's Parkrun." Why they just didn't get the volunteers to stand on their heads I'll never know!

But today's winner goes to Southport Parkrun who announced that, "Finish tokens would be handed out randomly and *not* in finish order, so every participant had a chance of coming 1st in their age group or even being 1st finisher." Coming to think of it, this is a great idea and really in the Parkrun spirit.

My own Parkrun fell foul of the unseasonable weather. The team put out a tweet informing us of a waterlogged course. Shame. I was looking forward to getting my exercise fix today. Oh hang on. Was that an April Fool too?

The 2023 Spring budget: what will it offer prospective retirees?

Remember when a Chancellor's budget was full of surprises? The anticipation of just how much the income tax threshold would rise or fall was palpable. No one outside of a select group of senior cabinet ministers had even an inkling of what the Chancellor was going to say when they stood up in the House of Commons.

That has all changed. These days we pretty much know the headlines days beforehand. Despite reminders from the Speaker of the House that leaking details of the budget is not allowed, it is now standard practice. Of course, it doesn't officially happen. If you ask the Prime Minister or Chancellor how on earth it could happen, you'll get no answer.

The absence of any real surprises in the budget is a bit of a letdown. If we know what the Chancellor is going to say, what is the point in him saying it. It just adds some political theatre. Admittedly they may have one or two cards up their sleeve, and they may add some colour to the overall picture.

As a prospective retiree, I'm interested in what the Chancellor is doing for folk like me. Yes just like everyone else, I'm just interested in pounds, shillings, and pence. He seems to be trying to encourage folk like me to delay retirement. Will his strategy work?

Increases to the pension contribution thresholds are helpful to those able to contribute more to their pension funds, but that won't be many. Even the current £40k annual limit is beyond most of us, so raising it to a reported £60k will only help high earners with lots of disposable income. Out of the few who have at least £40k a year spare, how many would consider a £20k increase enough of an incentive to keep their nose to the grindstone?

After 40+ years of service, I won't be tempted to continue working. As soon as I feel the time is right, I'll hang up my name badge for good and disappear into the sunset with an enormous grin on my face. I'm not alone. Why would anyone in my position want to carry on working?

The whole point of a pension is to build up a pot big enough to provide what you need later in life. Once you've achieved that objective, most would call it a day. Having additional cash to spend may be OK for some, but if you've done your calculations correctly why would you need it?

Gary Lineker: mixing sport with politics

The Government’s spat with Gary Lineker has the BBC playing piggy in the middle. Who’s side should they take? The one that bankrolls their very existence and who has people in high places with the ear of the boss, or their highly paid and high profile star who is inclined to make off-piste comments? It’s the classic battle of power and influence, but who has the most?

What we tend to forget with the plethora of media coverage is why this spat started in the first place; the government’s strategy to deal with migrants coming to the U.K. Gary Lineker’s strong response made a valid point using language that was bound to upset some. The fact that it allowed the government to hit back and attempt to take the moral high ground meant the discussion was on the right or wrongs of voicing an opinion but not on the government’s strategy itself.

Was it the government’s strategy to whip up a storm? Probably not, but Gary’s intervention gave them the opportunity to do so. They found themselves in the glorious position of being able to get on the front foot after announcing a policy they knew would be unpopular. It’s called the dark art of public relations.

At the heart of this tussle is an organisation that in the past has been shown to take action against its employees after high level interventions from the government. Such influence is something that exists in every organisation. The difference is that the BBC is a highly respected media outlet that tries hard to be impartial.

So what does impartial mean? It should mean not taking sides and being able to ask difficult questions no matter who they’re directed to. A classic example is the BBC’s Russia correspondent Steve Rosenberg. He regularly asks President Putin questions that ordinary Russians would be arrested for asking. Gary’s case is complicated by him being a contractor rather than an employee. Should that matter?

If Hew Edwards or Fiona Bruce had made the comments, would we feel the same way? I’m not sure we would, as it would make it more difficult for them to interview government officials in future. So is it OK for a sports presenter to criticise the government? Well yes, I think it is, which is why I find the manoeuvring by the government so troublesome.

What is clear is that the BBC’s decision to suspend Gary has been a PR disaster, and the government must be loving it. So far there is no solution to the issue with both sides digging in on principle. It is clear from those that follow Gary Lineker online that he has strong backing. The solidarity of fellow pundits also demonstrates just what they think.

Where will this all end? No one person is bigger than the organisation that employs them. If no one backs down, it is likely that Gary Lineker will be sacked. Will he care? Probably not. His contract is small beer compared with his other business interests, but if others jump on his bandwagon what then?

Presenting Match of the Day this weekend is a poisoned chalice. The BBC announced that tomorrow’s show won’t feature any presenter or pundit. They had little choice after nearly all of them stood in solidarity with Lineker. If they continue this approach the programme may just survive, but how does this all sit with an organisation seen by millennials as out of touch? What’s more, will it alienate their core audience? Time will tell, but the omens aren’t good.

Hybrid or remote working: what is best for a prospective retiree?

Last week my company announced a trial to get employees together more in person in an office, with the aim of getting staff collaborating and innovating. This comes on the back of the energy created at the company's recent Annual Kick-Off (AKO) event in California, attended in person by several hundred staff mainly involved in revenue creation. The three day high energy event is designed to ensure all staff, particularly those involved in sales, are aligned with the company's strategic priorities and how to achieve the company's goals.

The trial runs for three months with all staff not classed as remote expected to participate. They are expected to either work in an office one day every week, four consecutive days once a month, or two consecutive days twice a month. Employees are not classed as remote if they live within 50 miles of one of the company offices.

This is a good idea for some, but not for others. The company is very focused on sales as it runs headlong to becoming profitable, and the owners have a strong track record of success when it comes to taking start-ups to the next level. The problem is that the one size fits all solution just doesn't work. I can see how teams in the same location can collaborate and innovate, but what about teams that don't have that luxury? Further, I question why it isn't possible to collaborate and innovate remotely?

I had this very conversation last weekend with an architect friend of mine. His company requires all staff to be in onsite five days a week. He sees the benefit of this and disagreed when I suggested the benefits could also be achieved if people worked remotely. He cited having to look over and discuss large drawings with his team. Apparently, it is only possible in person in an office environment. Who knew!

I know I'm lucky to work in the technology sector, but his attitude rankled with me. I admit that not everyone can or would want to work remotely, but the last three years of this pandemic have shown us it is 100% possible. All it needs is an investment in staff and infrastructure.

There lays the real nub of the issue. It costs money to invest in IT, software, and staff training. I totally get that, but this should be the norm. Defending the idea of forcing staff to attend in person approaches the problem from the wrong angle. With the right equipment and can do attitude it is absolutely possible to collaborate from anywhere with a secure wifi connection.

Take my team. It is spread across three continents, four countries, and seven offices. It is almost impossible to have everyone together in the same location at the same time. Even when online, we only have a two hour window when most of us can meet. This makes online sessions a necessity, and even then we have to ignore our staff in the Far East.

What I fundamentally disapprove of with this trial, is the insinuation that my team aren't already collaborating and innovating whilst working remotely. Whilst it may be the case that not all teams are, I can prove just how collaborative and innovative we are. My team's role is not limited to one department. It covers the entire company, so collaboration and innovation aren't so much an aspiration as an absolute necessity.

So I've made the decision to change my contract to being located remotely. I may live only 15 miles from our nearest office, but the three hours daily I'd spend commuting to it could be better spent. Plus as I'm the only member of my team in that location, I can't collaborate in person unless there was a massive travel budget and a willingness from staff to congregate in one of our offices on a regular basis. As neither of those is going to happen, I'm not going to commute to an office just to attend an online session. I can do that from the comfort of my home office.

I've unofficially worked remotely full time for over three years. Even before the pandemic, I worked remotely at least one day a week for many years. As I approach retirement I've come to appreciate the flexibility remote working has offered me, and I don't want to give that up now. 

Remembering a simpler time

Social media users in the UK have posted pictures of empty supermarket shelves in the last week, with fruit and vegetables being the worst affected produce. Pretty much anything related to salad ingredients is virtually non-existent. Tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, and sweet peppers are really hard to find, and supermarkets are rationing them.

The war of words between consumers and our Government is ongoing. Thankfully fruit appears to be in reasonable supply, and the supply issues are temporary. The recent poor weather in southern Europe and north Africa seems to be the cause, with it hitting farmers hard. Even if the farmers were able to harvest their crop once the snow has dissipated, it would probably be ruined or of poor quality.

The shortages reminded me of when I was growing up. Back then the thought of having mangos or avocados on supermarket shelves all year around was unthinkable. We were used to waiting for the strawberries and grapes to appear around May before buying them. Even then, they are expensive in the first month or so. It was a simpler time when you had to be more creative with ingredients and plan your meals ahead, and you definitely didn't eat out as much as we do now.

Different times of course, but we can all learn something from this. Perhaps we've become too expectant of having everything available when we want it. It is a mild inconvenience to do without tomatoes for a few weeks. Perhaps that jar of sun-dried tomatoes at the back of the fridge is a reasonable substitute?

I can't see a surge in scurvy cases anytime soon. For a start, multi-vitamin tablets don't seem to be affected. They are plentiful. Whilst the more affluent areas tend to buy more fruit and vegetables, they are better prepared to diversify. They can afford to buy other more expensive products. It is the less affluent areas tend to stick to cheap processed food and are more time-poor.

There is a feeling in some areas of our community that fruit and vegetables are expensive. Our supermarkets have been trying to tackle this in recent years with promotions making them more affordable. Some retailers also offer wonky or non-perfect produce at a cheaper price. I mean if you're just going to peel and chop up a carrot and stick it in a slow cooker, does it need to be the perfect shape?

Let's live a little and remember we don't have a divine right to everything at our fingertips. Sometimes we have to accept that matters outside of our control will affect us. If not having a salad for two or three weeks is too hard for you to deal with, I'd say you're not prioritising things correctly.

Taking the positives from redundancy

 

The last couple of weeks have been challenging. We've seen 6.5% of our workforce made redundant, including one of my reports. We knew this was coming since we went from a public to a private company last year. It still doesn't blunt the pain of losing colleagues, many of whom have been with you through thick and thin.

When I started working all those years ago, the thought of changing employer every few years was something I hadn't envisaged. My first full-time job was for a large national bank, and the expectation was that it would be a job for life. I spent many happy years there working in various roles.

Then the inevitable happened and I was made redundant after 18 years of service. I'd seen it coming. That made it easier, but my pride and confidence took a short-term hit. It is human nature to feel wanted, and when someone tells you otherwise it does seem like a dagger has been stabbed in your back.

In circumstances like this, it's important to realise that it is nothing personal. At least it should be. If it seems like it's personal, there are options to explore including legal action. In the vast majority of cases, it's just business. Whether it is company priorities, finances, or mergers/acquisitions, the decision to downsize has been taken at a level where individuals are not considered.

My advice to anyone being made redundant is not to rush headlong into a job search. Take some time to evaluate your position and your options. Only you will know how much time to take but use it wisely. Is there some other field you'd rather work in? Is it time to make that move to the coast? Do you still want to work full-time? Have you a hobby that you could turn into a money-making business?

All these questions and more will help you understand your priorities. Speak to family and friends for their opinion. There is no stigma in redundancy anymore. Those days are long gone. Most of us have gone through it at some point, so you can be sure of a shoulder to lean on. Don't bottle it up. Remember a problem shared is a problem halved.

When you've thought things through, then you can polish your CV and approach recruiters. Be honest about your reasons for your job search. Unfortunately, your predicament is not unique so no one will think the worst of you. The chances are they'll sympathise because the same has happened to them in the past.

Above all don't forget to put yourself first. As Oscar Wilde once said, "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." Unless your situation requires it, don't feel like you need to compromise on your ideal job. You're special and you deserve the best.

Postscript:

I strongly believe being made redundant was the best thing that happened to me professionally. I decided to pivot slightly by focussing on one of my skills for my job search. I don't regret the decision one bit and haven't looked back. Not only was I able to find a job that I thoroughly enjoy, but I've reached a financial position that my younger self could only dream of.

Would you give up hybrid work?

 

Recent research by Bloomberg questioned central London employees about whether they'd ever want to return to the office full time. Unsurprisingly nearly three quarters of them said that it would require them to receive a pay increase to do so. Of those who said they'd leave their jobs if required to return to the office full time, only an 11% pay increase would get them to change their mind.

Even before the pandemic, I was working at least one day a week at home. Since the pandemic started, I can count on one hand the number of times I've been in the office. It helps that I work in the technology sector, so have all the tools I need to communicate effectively from anywhere with a wifi connection.

It's not possible for everyone to work remotely of course. There are professions that require face to face interaction. There are also jobs where being onsite is required, but if possible employers should allow their employees the option. If they don't, they could mind staff retention suffers. If their competitors offer something they don't, people will eventually vote with their feet.

So what are my reasons for not wanting to return to office life?

My commute is 90 minutes each way. That's three hours a day, fifteen hours a week.  It would be so bad if I could work during some of this time, but on cramped trains and buses often with standing room only, this is impossible. It is a complete waste of my time. I've spent over 40 years of my life suffering late running trains, motorway tailbacks, and fellow commuters with halitosis. Unless there is a good reason for commuting, I'd rather make better use of my time.

Not having to commute saves me nearly £300 a month in travel costs alone. Throw in the inflated costs of buying lunch or coffee in city centre outlets, and you can save a further £200 a month. I'm lucky that my employer pays for my home wifi and phone as well, so working from home saves me nearly £600 a month. That's a substantial additional contribution I can make to my pension.

Even if I was in the office, it wouldn't really benefit me. No amount of snacks, office lunches, or well stocked drinks fridge would tempt me back full time. I've a team spread across the world from San Francisco to Tel Aviv and Tokyo. That makes for working hours that are fluid at best, and calling someone at 6am or 9pm is so much better when you know you've got your creature comforts close by.

To retire or carry on regardless?

Last week I very nearly made the decision to retire. I'll cover the reasons why I didn't in a future post, but for now I'm still in the land of the employed.

Retiring is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are many factors to consider before making the leap. 

Top of my list is whether I'll be able to afford the standard of living I aspire to in retirement. Thankfully it looks like I'll have no issues there, although unless you're on a final salary pension, your pension annuity is always an unknown quantity until the day you decide to take it.

Then there is how I'll spend all that free time. I doubt I'll have any problems with that either. I want to spend more time outdoors doing what I enjoy, be it walking, playing golf, or exercising. Maybe I'll volunteer somewhere and give something back to society.

Finally, there's the question of what my wife wants. She may continue working for a few years after I retire. That would be my ideal scenario, as selfishly it would allow me to do the things I know she doesn't like. However, anyone in a long-term relationship knows that a bit of give and take is part of the deal, and you know what they say...

"A happy wife is a happy life."