NR recruiting recent retirees.

[w124bob]

My brother took early retirement in August last year from Saltley signalling centre, NR have written to ask if he would return. He has declined their offer for various reasons. 

[Rugd1022]

There's a fair chance I've spoken to your brother over the GSM-R, wish him all the best from me Bob 

[young37215]

There is a general call out from NR to early retirees and others who are qualified to provide temporary cover in safety critical roles such as signalmen for potential staff absences arising from the epidemic.  

[micknich2003]

As I found out, they won't entertain anyone over seventy.

[jim.snowdon]

6 minutes ago, micknich2003 said:

As I found out, they won't entertain anyone over seventy.

They might know too much, like how to run a railway

 

The sort of response they get might be rather revealing.

 

Jim

[caradoc]

Retirees under 70 might also know a bit about how to run a railway ? (As indeed do the staff currently doing the job). 

 

(I have been asked too but will most likely decline - I don't fancy the shifts, especially the 12 hour nights, any longer).

 

[w124bob]

1 minute ago, caradoc said:

Retirees under 70 might also know a bit about how to run a railway ? (As indeed do the staff currently doing the job). 

 

(I have been asked too but will most likely decline - I don't fancy the shifts, especially the 12 hour nights, any longer).

 

That was one of my brothers main reasons for not going back, had it been back to a bells and block instruments box he may gone. But the Saltley bunker is a soulless building.

[EmporiaSub]

Even more politics than when I left nearly 3 years ago....

I’d had enough of it then, so no thank you.

[Pandora]

On 27/03/2020 at 17:22, micknich2003 said:

As I found out, they won't entertain anyone over seventy.

I though it was contrary to  the Law to discriminate  employment based upon age

 

https://archive.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1841

Edited March 30, 2020 by Pandora

[Gordon Connell]

15 minutes ago, Pandora said:

I though it was contrary to  the Law to discriminate  employment based upon age

 

Not if there's a job specific reason for applying an age limit. I don't pretend to know what the reason is in this case.

Edited March 30, 2020 by Gordon Connell

[St. Simon]

7 minutes ago, Gordon Connell said:

 

Not if there's a job specific reason for applying an age limit. I don't pretend to know what the reason is in this case.

 

Government Advice, the recruitment of retired signallers is for contingency in case too many regulars go sick with Coronavirus / self-isolate, and it is government advice that the over 70s are 'shielded' and self-isolate.

 

I'm on a contingency list for TVSC.

 

Simon  

Edited March 30, 2020 by St. Simon

[jim.snowdon]

18 hours ago, St. Simon said:

 

Government Advice, the recruitment of retired signallers is for contingency in case too many regulars go sick with Coronavirus / self-isolate, and it is government advice that the over 70s are 'shielded' and self-isolate.

 

I'm on a contingency list for TVSC.

 

Simon  

Although that advice has no bearing on their ability to do the job, or the risk of their catching the virus, only the potential workload on the health service. 

 

Jim

[The Stationmaster]

23 hours ago, St. Simon said:

 

Government Advice, the recruitment of retired signallers is for contingency in case too many regulars go sick with Coronavirus / self-isolate, and it is government advice that the over 70s are 'shielded' and self-isolate.

 

I'm on a contingency list for TVSC.

 

Simon  

Sorry Simon but the Govt advice is not that Over 70s self-isolate (although the BBC keep saying it).  The advice to the over 70s is that they are' particularly stringent' in the need to apply social distancing and the various other precautions such as only shopping for essentials etc (which I am doing - it's the other ones who aren't)

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

[ColinK]

Blea Moor box would be a good place to self-isolate!

[EmporiaSub]

Even one of the TOC’s is approaching retired Operations Control staff to see if they’d be interested in going back to cover for self-isolating, sickness etc.

[Trog]

22 hours ago, ColinK said:

Blea Moor box would be a good place to self-isolate!

 

So much so that they only heard the rumour that the Midland Railway is to be Nationalised last week.

[w124bob]

On 30/03/2020 at 14:15, Pandora said:

I though it was contrary to  the Law to discriminate  employment based upon age

 

https://archive.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1841

There is a loop hole which Virgin used a few years ago, they balloted drivers with a pay offer recommended by ASLEF . One of the conditions was compulsory retirement on reaching state pension age. I assume the legals knew what they were doing re any potential action, several drivers were forced out within weeks. There is actually a good argument for prediccting planned retirement, if Driver Bloggs is due to go in 12 months, you as the TOC recruit now to fill his place with out any real shortage when Drv Bloggs goes. But if you don't know for sure you have a situation of uncertainty. Virgin have not to my knowledge been challenged over this. I seem to remember my own company (XCTrains)sarting to look at this just as I was finishing, it included extending the notice period for potential retirees from 1 to 3 months. Not an issue if you a claiming your railway pension as there is a 3 month set up.

Edited April 2, 2020 by w124bob