John Keyes

During a recent conversation the practice of rewarding 100% attendance cropped up.

On the face of it this seems like a great idea, as it is an acknowledgement for employees who don’t fake an illness to get a day off work.

There is an obvious downside too. Some employees will attend while ill, and have zero regard for their fellow employees, whom they may infect.

Instead of having one employee out sick, the employer could now be faced with a much greater problem. A manufacturer may have to halt a line. An office may have to close down.

In my opinion attendance rates should not be acknowledged, but contributions beyond what are stipulated in a contract could be.

It is difficult to measure gratefulness. That amazing feeling you experience, after someone has gone out of their way to get you out of a bind, or to make the dark times that little brighter, is immeasurable.

I am lucky. I have a wife and parents, who unswervingly are there to help me, regardless of the situation.

Today, I am especially grateful to my little sister (and her employer), who helped us out recently. I will repay you with Roché, and jellies :)

Before you say “I have to <blank>” ask yourself whether you should say “I want <blank>”.

Sometimes people are embarrassed to say want. It brands them as selfish. Instead, they try to hide their true motives by broadcasting their need as irrefutable.

I wanted to publish this post, I didn’t “have to”.

World Cup 2010 has not seen the trend of snap judgements being bucked. There are many examples of this, but the one I will concentrate on is form.

Players have already endured a very long season of football. In the case of Premiership footballers, a long season of furiously paced football.

When they line out for their countries at a World Cup, it is expected the occasion should aid the players to achieve the peaks of their powers. This may be true for some players, not for all.

It is especially untrue (if such a phrase makes any sense) for players coming back from injury.

England have pinned their World Cup hopes on the fitness of Gareth Barry. It appears they have no hope without him, as the Gerrard Lampard central midfield pairing has been condemned.

Barry travelled to the World Cup carrying an injury (rucksack/suitcase/carry-on?), and despite this it was generally expected, that he’d stroll onto the pitch, and dominate the Algerian game.

The same case can be made for Fernando Torres. Despite being out for weeks after his knee surgery, people are wondering why he’s not firing on all cylinders.

Both of these players have a chance to improve their game in the second round. If their countries don’t progress, and their form doesn’t improve, I’m sure someone will blame them for the failure.

Sitepoint EPUB books are nice in iBooks on iPhone.