Took the first steps to becoming an IAM National observer today, will hopefully be starting the course in the spring, and aiming at taking my qualification assessment in the Autumn...looking forward to the challenge
Hope it all goes well and you can see past the idiosyncrasies of each of the mentors who help you through the process. Everyone has their own take on how it should be despite having the same source documentation If you feel the need to bounce anything off someone, please feel free to PM me or any other NOb on here Andy
Started the ball rolling to claim my work pension. Go to the pension website and email the Customer Relationship Team as per the contact details. I received an automated reply stating if my enquiry relates to pensions I can email Employer Pensions. I then emailed Employer Pensions; get an automated reply telling me someone will be in touch. Just been copied into an email from Employer Pensions to the Customer Relationship team telling the Customer Relationship Team to contact me. Why do I get the impression this is going to be hard work…
Tell me about it.... I feel your pain. Although not pensions I'm presently doing the admin with the health service for Mrs Bee's treatment and I must have had the need to log into at least 4 different web sites. Each for a slightly different purpose e.g. comms from the surgery, comms from the hospital/consultant, appointments etc. And in each case the links are often prefaced with things like "Your primary care provider has chosen to use 'blah blah' as it's booking appointment partner" As if I give a chuff who they have selected as their 'kin booking partner all I want to do is book an appointment. Preferably from the same place I am logged into presently. The government/state/civil service are trying to overlay online working onto aged & sclerotic paper system(s) that have a good deal of personnel & process resistance to change. There's just too many internal departmental silos, empires & interested parties for it to ever work efficiently and to the benefit of the user.
Been to the chemist for my meds. Gave me the opportunity to ask about the guy collapsed outside the day before (when I came out of the co-op next door). I'd decided, after careful deliberation, not to go over and say "Cor! Is he dead?" Seems he likely tripped, broke his nose, maybe fractured an eye socket. "Don't know if he was running" turned into "he shouldn't be running at his age", which gave me a wry smile. If he's much older than me, maybe he shouldn't even be walking. Anyway - and here's why I mention it - the ambulance didn't come. My confidante rang for one twice. Two guys found a wheelchair and took him to the hospital themselves.
