In Reply to: IBM UK has ended the consultation period posted by Joe76 on 07 February 2006 at 11:08:50:
Joe,
For the benefit of those us who are not necessarily aware of what's happening within the company, can you provide some additional information:
: In case you hadn't noticed, the deadline for employees to suggest alternative schemes expired on Sunday 5th February.
I presume that this relates to the currently proposed pension changes ? (Apologies to those who think that this is obvious !)
: So, having only told employees the details on 27th January, it seems extraordinary that employees should be given less than 10 days to understand them and construct an alternative proposal.
What mechanism/sway would current employees have to change the proposal anyway ?
: Employees were busy on other things during that period. 31st January was the deadline for all A&Cs to be complete.
"Look over there, (by the way, we're just about to change something here)" One could be excused in thinking this way, couldn't one ??
: It was also the fateful day that Integrity Heath wrote to all employees saying that anyone who had just scored a 3 or 4 would be shown the door unless they pulled their socks up. (Insensitive, or what?)
"What is Integrity Health ??? Are we talking A&C rating when you refer to 3 or 4. (I seem to remember "certain" managers stating that '3' was not a 'bad' rating !! But then again, this was always seen as a move to avoid 'conflict' in the A&C 'interview' !)
: The passing of 5th February effectively means that IBM has now stopped consulting.
The term "steam-rollering" springs to mind !!
: It may listen to suggestions about style, but not about substance. (IBM has always been a "Don't bring me problems, bring me solutions" company, so I refuse to believe that, while it will no longer consider alternative proposals, it will somehow listen to criticisms.)
In other words, "save your breath" ! "Don't bring me problems" seems to imply people who "have their heads in the sand". Sacre Bleu ! - surely not ?? !!
Joe, can you give us some idea of how the majority of employees feel about the proposed pension changes ? How many feel strongly negative about the propoasl, but equally feel that they may be branded "a trouble maker" if those views were aired, by official mechanisms or otherwise ? (This may answer some of the recent questions raised on this Message Board)