First the old bowler hat brigade told me that graduates haven’t been properly prepared for the world of work and now I’ve discovered that the lot over at The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) claim that 17-24 year olds aren’t prepared for the world of driving at work either.  Being a superb driver myself, and keeping Mrs Hanson in the boot, I’ve never had such accusations thrown at me.  With such claims surely the RoSPA have some proof?  You’ll be relieved to know, as I was, that they do! Proving that they have the spare time of a finance graduate they’ve managed to pull together some stats and most probably a pie graph or two that proves they’re right.  According to these stats more than half of all employers interviewed would like to see a ‘post-driving test’ for staff.  One of the main motivations for this test is that a recent estimate has placed 1 in 3 vehicles involved in road accidents to have been on work business.  Here’s what Duncan Vernon, the chief road safety expert had to say about the matter: “Many employers do not rely on the driving licence as evidence of competence to drive for work and many conduct their own assessments before allowing their employees to drive for work purposes. It is not surprising so many said they would find post-test driving for work useful”. But what does this mean to you?  Well be sure to tell any employer or interviewer that you have a clean license and driving record.

Tags: driving, Health and Safety

What to be a big shot in the City? At what cost? Macho attitudes are being blamed for a swell in City workers suffering severe mental issues in the wake of the Credit Crunch. Clinics in the City are reporting a 20% rise in calls from depressed or even suicidal bankers and traders who face redundancy or the loss of their wealth. Charities like Stand to Reason are calling for more firms to actively engage counsellors to talk to staff who are suffering in silence. Lifeworks – a helpline used by City workers has received 3,500 anxious calls – up 10% on this time last year. As stress takes hold, so there has been an increase in cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. So that’s what’s causing it…

Tags: Banking, Bonuses, charity, City, Credit Crunch, Money money money, reward, Trading

Anglia Ruskin University, with campuses in Cambridge and Chelmsford, has thoughtfully advised students what to wear for their graduation ceremonies on their website. However they have caught the attention of the national press by also slipping in that do not want grads tossing their mortar boards in the air – as is tradition. “It can cause injury if the corner of the hat hits the graduand (sic) or others who may be nearby.” SU President got his fifteen minutes shouting “It’s health and safety gone mad.” The university has quickly stated that the hat tossing is not banned, just that students should be careful. Several years ago, a student at the uni had to be hospitalised (!) after he was struck on the head by a hat.

Tags: advice and guidance, Graduation, University, what to wear

Edinburgh based economy airline is to be prosectured by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) after it allowed a flight from Liverpool to New York to take off, despite the fact the aircraft’s engine sensors we’ren’t working - a clear breach of safety rules. Flyglobespan denied safety breaches but said two senior managers had been replaced and that improved reporting systems had now been introduced. Last autumn, Flyglobespan’s license to fly some transatlantic routes was suspended because of serious concerns about its operations.

Tags: Airlines, Aviation, Careers, Regulators

A trainee police officer in Essex is seeking £500,000 compensation as he feels he was forced to quit his job over his dyslexia. Owen Brooking claims he was repeatedly branded “thick” and “lazy” as his employers made no allowance for his learning difficulties – not allowing him to go on patrol and making him redo paper work. His supervising tutor PC Dawn Philips told him he was only good for taking fingerprints and urged him to resign. His dyslexia is clearly not hindering the complex legal documentation Brooking is about to embark on! If you’re concerned about dyslexia allowing you to claim half a million in the workplace, watch the video on the link below. Read original article

Tags: Essex, Police, training and placements