Christmas Bonus.
Dec 10th 2012, 5:24 pm
#76
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Christmas Bonus.
Interesting point you make about Passport Canada.
So lets say it went over to the private sector would it be then profit based or just merely cost recovery?
Would the passports still be printed in Canada or farmed out overseas to the lowest bidder. Would their call center be located in Canada or India?
What do you think a passport would cost?
Would the integrity and security of this system still be in place?
Would the service of renewals be any quicker?
So lets say it went over to the private sector would it be then profit based or just merely cost recovery?
Would the passports still be printed in Canada or farmed out overseas to the lowest bidder. Would their call center be located in Canada or India?
What do you think a passport would cost?
Would the integrity and security of this system still be in place?
Would the service of renewals be any quicker?
I'm not advocating this btw; issuing passports isn't a particularly big deal and it seems reasonable that it's something the government should do. I don't know how much a passport costs in Canada, but over a persons lifetime the savings aren't going to amount to very much.
Dec 10th 2012, 5:57 pm
#77
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 829
Re: Christmas Bonus.
When I worked in the public sector in the UK, I was responsible for Compulsory Competitive tendering which then became Best Value. I was also involved in Public Private Partnerships. Much of it was smoke and mirrors and manipulating statistics, especially those around public sector borrowing.
These initiatives made a few people rich at the expense of the public purse and some lower paid public sector workers. It brought a level of curruption and collusion that did not exist before. I saw bags of cash being handed over by contractors to dishonest workers and dishonest workers being fired only to be brought back for double the money as contractors.
With all these regulations, rules, standards, prolicies and procedures you also have to have staff to write them and monitor the contractors as they were always trying to find ways to get around their obligations. I was a monitoring officer for a while in a local authority and much of our work was duplicated, but it was not in our interest to focus on things like that.
The private sector is not necessarily better or cheaper.
These initiatives made a few people rich at the expense of the public purse and some lower paid public sector workers. It brought a level of curruption and collusion that did not exist before. I saw bags of cash being handed over by contractors to dishonest workers and dishonest workers being fired only to be brought back for double the money as contractors.
With all these regulations, rules, standards, prolicies and procedures you also have to have staff to write them and monitor the contractors as they were always trying to find ways to get around their obligations. I was a monitoring officer for a while in a local authority and much of our work was duplicated, but it was not in our interest to focus on things like that.
The private sector is not necessarily better or cheaper.
Dec 10th 2012, 6:47 pm
#78
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Christmas Bonus.
When I worked in the public sector in the UK, I was responsible for Compulsory Competitive tendering which then became Best Value. I was also involved in Public Private Partnerships. Much of it was smoke and mirrors and manipulating statistics, especially those around public sector borrowing.
These initiatives made a few people rich at the expense of the public purse and some lower paid public sector workers. It brought a level of curruption and collusion that did not exist before. I saw bags of cash being handed over by contractors to dishonest workers and dishonest workers being fired only to be brought back for double the money as contractors.
With all these regulations, rules, standards, prolicies and procedures you also have to have staff to write them and monitor the contractors as they were always trying to find ways to get around their obligations. I was a monitoring officer for a while in a local authority and much of our work was duplicated, but it was not in our interest to focus on things like that.
The private sector is not necessarily better or cheaper.
These initiatives made a few people rich at the expense of the public purse and some lower paid public sector workers. It brought a level of curruption and collusion that did not exist before. I saw bags of cash being handed over by contractors to dishonest workers and dishonest workers being fired only to be brought back for double the money as contractors.
With all these regulations, rules, standards, prolicies and procedures you also have to have staff to write them and monitor the contractors as they were always trying to find ways to get around their obligations. I was a monitoring officer for a while in a local authority and much of our work was duplicated, but it was not in our interest to focus on things like that.
The private sector is not necessarily better or cheaper.
Something should be either in the private or public sector. When you try to mix them (like with PPP) you just end up with corruption and greed. There might be good examples of them working, but I can't think of any.
Whether or not the private sector is better depends on the industry. Healthcare, policing, teaching are all better in public hands imo. Less so booze
Dec 12th 2012, 5:36 pm
#79
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 732
Re: Christmas Bonus.
In my previous job I used to get a performance bonus and a Christmas bonus.
It ranged from $1500-5000 during my time there.
Current job I doubt i'll get anything other than the christmas party.
It ranged from $1500-5000 during my time there.
Current job I doubt i'll get anything other than the christmas party.
Dec 12th 2012, 6:38 pm
#80
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 30
Re: Christmas Bonus.
No bonus here either.
Any gift baskets are returned to sender in order to maintain clarity/avoid ethics issues. One or two sometimes don't make it to the post office for a variety of reasons. These somehow end up in the boss' office. Last year a co-worker and I were made to return Leafs tickets for our section that were provided by a contractor. That was a morale crusher.
We have an office party that we have to pay admission to, and will only be held if the bosses grant us the time to hold it. So far enough folks haven't bought into the party so it looks like it will be scrapped for lack of funds/support.
I am hosting a department party at my house for the dozen or so cubicle-dwellers surrounding me. Its tomorrow night. So far all supplies have come from the LCBO. Not feeling very inspired to come up with much else for appies/food, so if you have suggestions...
When I was in private consulting, annual bonus was usually a week's pay and a voucher for a turkey at the local Safeway. Some years more, some years less. Company Christmas due involved professional entertainers at a local club booked for the night. Invite list included all employees and clients. A fleet of town cars & limos was booked for the night to be sure you got home safe. It was a good party.
Funny that now I do the same job, but the environment is so different.
Any gift baskets are returned to sender in order to maintain clarity/avoid ethics issues. One or two sometimes don't make it to the post office for a variety of reasons. These somehow end up in the boss' office. Last year a co-worker and I were made to return Leafs tickets for our section that were provided by a contractor. That was a morale crusher.
We have an office party that we have to pay admission to, and will only be held if the bosses grant us the time to hold it. So far enough folks haven't bought into the party so it looks like it will be scrapped for lack of funds/support.
I am hosting a department party at my house for the dozen or so cubicle-dwellers surrounding me. Its tomorrow night. So far all supplies have come from the LCBO. Not feeling very inspired to come up with much else for appies/food, so if you have suggestions...
When I was in private consulting, annual bonus was usually a week's pay and a voucher for a turkey at the local Safeway. Some years more, some years less. Company Christmas due involved professional entertainers at a local club booked for the night. Invite list included all employees and clients. A fleet of town cars & limos was booked for the night to be sure you got home safe. It was a good party.
Funny that now I do the same job, but the environment is so different.
Dec 12th 2012, 6:40 pm
#81
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 732
Re: Christmas Bonus.
No bonus here either.
Any gift baskets are returned to sender in order to maintain clarity/avoid ethics issues. One or two sometimes don't make it to the post office for a variety of reasons. These somehow end up in the boss' office. Last year a co-worker and I were made to return Leafs tickets for our section that were provided by a contractor. That was a morale crusher.
We have an office party that we have to pay admission to, and will only be held if the bosses grant us the time to hold it. So far enough folks haven't bought into the party so it looks like it will be scrapped for lack of funds/support.
I am hosting a department party at my house for the dozen or so cubicle-dwellers surrounding me. Its tomorrow night. So far all supplies have come from the LCBO. Not feeling very inspired to come up with much else for appies/food, so if you have suggestions...
When I was in private consulting, annual bonus was usually a week's pay and a voucher for a turkey at the local Safeway. Some years more, some years less. Company Christmas due involved professional entertainers at a local club booked for the night. Invite list included all employees and clients. A fleet of town cars & limos was booked for the night to be sure you got home safe. It was a good party.
Funny that now I do the same job, but the environment is so different.
Any gift baskets are returned to sender in order to maintain clarity/avoid ethics issues. One or two sometimes don't make it to the post office for a variety of reasons. These somehow end up in the boss' office. Last year a co-worker and I were made to return Leafs tickets for our section that were provided by a contractor. That was a morale crusher.
We have an office party that we have to pay admission to, and will only be held if the bosses grant us the time to hold it. So far enough folks haven't bought into the party so it looks like it will be scrapped for lack of funds/support.
I am hosting a department party at my house for the dozen or so cubicle-dwellers surrounding me. Its tomorrow night. So far all supplies have come from the LCBO. Not feeling very inspired to come up with much else for appies/food, so if you have suggestions...
When I was in private consulting, annual bonus was usually a week's pay and a voucher for a turkey at the local Safeway. Some years more, some years less. Company Christmas due involved professional entertainers at a local club booked for the night. Invite list included all employees and clients. A fleet of town cars & limos was booked for the night to be sure you got home safe. It was a good party.
Funny that now I do the same job, but the environment is so different.
Dec 12th 2012, 6:56 pm
#82
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 30
Re: Christmas Bonus.
Yes Arthur, I made the switch about 3 years ago. I am regretting it more and more all the time.
Slagging of Gov't workers aside, employee ownership in a well-directed company easily beats the Gov't pension I am looking at. ROI on shares in the consultancy I was part of beat out OPSEU gains handily. Stress is far higher, rewards fewer, hours longer, and professionalism and respect non-existant. Lately I've been thinking of going back to private sector, but it will be difficult to transition back in my field, unless I want to drop down to a technical position. For me that would be a big step backwards.
Add me to the disgruntled masses, I guess. Its getting to be time to make some decisions.
Anyway - back to Christmas glee. Hope your party is fantastic!
Slagging of Gov't workers aside, employee ownership in a well-directed company easily beats the Gov't pension I am looking at. ROI on shares in the consultancy I was part of beat out OPSEU gains handily. Stress is far higher, rewards fewer, hours longer, and professionalism and respect non-existant. Lately I've been thinking of going back to private sector, but it will be difficult to transition back in my field, unless I want to drop down to a technical position. For me that would be a big step backwards.
Add me to the disgruntled masses, I guess. Its getting to be time to make some decisions.
Anyway - back to Christmas glee. Hope your party is fantastic!
Dec 12th 2012, 7:01 pm
#83
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Christmas Bonus.
Defined benefit is almost always better than defined contribution. Aren't most public sector jobs the former, while private sector is generally the latter.
Dec 12th 2012, 7:03 pm
#84
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 732
Re: Christmas Bonus.
Yes Arthur, I made the switch about 3 years ago. I am regretting it more and more all the time.
Slagging of Gov't workers aside, employee ownership in a well-directed company easily beats the Gov't pension I am looking at. ROI on shares in the consultancy I was part of beat out OPSEU gains handily. Stress is far higher, rewards fewer, hours longer, and professionalism and respect non-existant. Lately I've been thinking of going back to private sector, but it will be difficult to transition back in my field, unless I want to drop down to a technical position. For me that would be a big step backwards.
Add me to the disgruntled masses, I guess. Its getting to be time to make some decisions.
Anyway - back to Christmas glee. Hope your party is fantastic!
Slagging of Gov't workers aside, employee ownership in a well-directed company easily beats the Gov't pension I am looking at. ROI on shares in the consultancy I was part of beat out OPSEU gains handily. Stress is far higher, rewards fewer, hours longer, and professionalism and respect non-existant. Lately I've been thinking of going back to private sector, but it will be difficult to transition back in my field, unless I want to drop down to a technical position. For me that would be a big step backwards.
Add me to the disgruntled masses, I guess. Its getting to be time to make some decisions.
Anyway - back to Christmas glee. Hope your party is fantastic!
I only ask this because most of the 'Hydros' are our clients and we obviously can not gift people who work in their ranks.
Dec 12th 2012, 7:16 pm
#85
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 30
Re: Christmas Bonus.
Added to that, we had a weekly contribution plan to a self-directed RRSP, so you could put in as much as you wanted with the company matching contribs up to 5% of your payscale. This was the non-taxable portion. I have lost on the RRSP year-over year to the point that now I would be ahead had I stuffed that cash under my mattress.
Sadly, the stocks were cashed out with the sale of the company, reinvested in the RRSP which lives on. Had I stayed on with the new owners group, I could have bought into their corp on a similar plan, but I had trust issues at the time (and still do).
I work in transportation engineering. Think of me at your next red light.
Dec 12th 2012, 7:19 pm
#86
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 732
Re: Christmas Bonus.
The way it worked in the private corp was that the corp matched every share you bought with a freebie. Basically a 2-for-one deal, so you had to pony up $10,000 to buy a share, but you got $20,000 of the company in publicly traded stocks. Thats hard to beat, even as a taxable benefit, if you can afford to take advantage of it. Value of the shares rose considerably when the company was bought out by a US firm.
Added to that, we had a weekly contribution plan to a self-directed RRSP, so you could put in as much as you wanted with the company matching contribs up to 5% of your payscale. This was the non-taxable portion. I have lost on the RRSP year-over year to the point that now I would be ahead had I stuffed that cash under my mattress.
Sadly, the stocks were cashed out with the sale of the company, reinvested in the RRSP which lives on. Had I stayed on with the new owners group, I could have bought into their corp on a similar plan, but I had trust issues at the time (and still do).
I work in transportation engineering. Think of me at your next red light.
Added to that, we had a weekly contribution plan to a self-directed RRSP, so you could put in as much as you wanted with the company matching contribs up to 5% of your payscale. This was the non-taxable portion. I have lost on the RRSP year-over year to the point that now I would be ahead had I stuffed that cash under my mattress.
Sadly, the stocks were cashed out with the sale of the company, reinvested in the RRSP which lives on. Had I stayed on with the new owners group, I could have bought into their corp on a similar plan, but I had trust issues at the time (and still do).
I work in transportation engineering. Think of me at your next red light.
My company dabbles in that also lol.
Dec 12th 2012, 7:47 pm
#87
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 30
Re: Christmas Bonus.
Well, my company WAS better than your company IS. I just wish my company still existed!
You aren't with CIMA+ are you? They look very appealing to me.
You aren't with CIMA+ are you? They look very appealing to me.
Dec 12th 2012, 7:52 pm
#89
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 30
Re: Christmas Bonus.
Good on Ya. Who knows maybe I'll go over that way. Their nearest office is a little far for me is all that holds me back. I don't want an hour long commute again.