GRANNY LEAVE

Could ‘Granny Leave’ Feed Discrimination?

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, has recognised the plight of working women over the age of 50 years who are looking after elderly parents.  This is admirable and not a moment too soon.  The job of looking after children and elderly parents invariably falls on the shoulders of women, even in today’s enlightened society.  This is a tough call and many women are at the end of their tether trying to juggle family responsibilities and work.

One proposal suggested is Granny Leave, whereby women in particular can take up to 6 months off work to look after an elderly parent and have the statutory right to return to work after that period.

Great idea, but can employers afford such a luxury?  It is hard enough for them to finance maternity and in some cases paternity leave. 

Could this not feed age and gender discrimination?

Superb CV, Fit As A Flea, But No Job For You, You’re 63!

Ageism Is Alive and Kicking In More Ways Than One

Actually the chap I’m thinking about is 60yrs, but it didn’t rhyme!

This however, is no joke.  The equation is this:

We are all living longer + we have to stay healthy by being active +

pensions are not enough + more and more need to keep working =

older people need jobs

The problem is someone forgot to tell the employers!

85 YEAR OLD REFEREE DOESN'T BLOW THE WHISTLE!

When should the clock stop?

I heard a great story the other day.  It was all about a university women’s football team.  They were playing as usual, the teams were well matched so they were working hard to get ahead.  It was coming to the end of the game and fatigue was setting in.  They kept playing, giving it their all, but something didn’t seem right.  Why were they so tired?  It wasn’t unusual for one or two of the players to feel depleted, but this time both teams were struggling.

What was going on?

INFORMATION OVERLOAD? NOT FOR THE IMPORTANT STUFF

Help for your loved ones

In our so called ‘information overload age’, it’s surreal that we can’t find the information we need.

What I mean by need is when a loved one (young or not so young) needs to find out what they are entitled to from the government, or what services and gadgets are available to make disability easier, or even what latest drug has come on the market that could make a difference.

Where is the most common place to find this information? .........

ACROSS THE GENERATIONS

Let's Have a Mix Up

Recently I went to a funeral of a very dear friend.  He was a man in his sixties with three grown up children and young grandchildren.  The large church was standing room only, there must have been 100s of people there.  Our friend was well respected at work, highly active on many committees and an integral part of his community.  The number of mourners was of no surprise.

As I looked around I felt there was something wrong, I couldn't put my finger on it.  The service continued, I glanced to my left, right and behind on several more occasions and still I was puzzled. Then it dawned on me.

ALTRUISM AND KINDNESS

Science Meets Kindness

Last year I had a meeting in Fulham, London.  I parked my car and walked through a small park to get to the street I needed.

As I hurried along in my high heels concentrating that I didn’t slip on the falling leaves, I noticed a rather dirty looking man lying on a bench asleep.  On the ground next to him were three carrier bags that looked as if they contained some old rags.

HOW MUCH HELP IS THE RIGHT AMOUNT?

Are We Helping Too Much Or Too Little?

I have been in a few discussions lately about helping loved ones who are having physical or mental difficulties.

When we see someone we care about struggle to do various things it’s our natural desire to want to rescue, to do these things for them and to start to take over.

Is this good or not so good?  I asked myself what if I were the one struggling, what would I want my loved ones to do?