CDS General Eyre announces retirement

[Halifax Tar]

Amen to that...

View attachment 84657

Trade you.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Trade you.

No. Friggin. Way.

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Next time my techs are working late on a Friday with no scheduled PT I suppose the rest of the CAF should to ensure my techs don't feel left out, and stay late too. My shift workers don't get sports days, or early secure before long weekends, so maybe the rest of the CAF shouldn't... Something about shared hardships and all of that.

Next time the PPCLI are living in tents for a month in the sub- Arctic or one of our boats is in the Black Sea, make sure everyone of your people are at their workplace 24/7 before you use that argument.

"Shared hardships and all that"

 

[Furniture]

Next time the PPCLI are living in tents for a month in the sub- Arctic make sure everyone of your people are at their workplace 24/7 before you use that argument.

You're making my argument... All jobs all have different hardships, and different perks.

Using "sharing hardships" is a weak argument thrown out there by people who want others to have their hardships, but not wanting to acknowledge their own perks.

As hard as it may be to believe, working in the NCR isn't all sunshine and rainbows. There are hardships associated with it, though not generally physical ones, but there are also perks. Some of those perks even prior to the pandemic were flexible work hours and some WFH.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I propose all CAF bases charge for parking, just so the rest of the CAF feels the NCR's hardships. Fair is fair after all.

Thanks to a grievance in Ottawa from some twit who complained that people in the regions were getting a "deal" because of free parking at the rural sites, they were going to ban free parking at all Federal sites regardless of location. A grievance from the techs that looked after the Loran radio towers near Riske Creek finally forced common sense to enter the room. They had been told they would have to pay to park at the building or park off site (700m as I recall) at the gate, in the winter....

 

[Brad Sallows]

Next time the PPCLI are living in tents for a month in the sub- Arctic or one of our boats is in the Black Sea, make sure everyone of your people are at their workplace 24/7 before you use that argument.

"Shared hardships and all that"

At some point "REMF" assignments with options to WFH should be seen as a balancing mechanism for time spent living austerely outdoors or bucking swells.

 

[Brad Sallows]

Thanks to a grievance in Ottawa from some twit who complained that people in the regions were getting a "deal" because of free parking at the rural sites, they were going to ban free parking at all Federal sites regardless of location. A grievance from the techs that looked after the Loran radio towers near Riske Creek finally forced common sense to enter the room. They had been told they would have to pay to park at the building or park off site (700m as I recall) at the gate, in the winter....

But it's nice flat land. Surely the winds blow the snow elsewhere?

 

[Eaglelord17]

Thanks to a grievance in Ottawa from some twit who complained that people in the regions were getting a "deal" because of free parking at the rural sites, they were going to ban free parking at all Federal sites regardless of location. A grievance from the techs that looked after the Loran radio towers near Riske Creek finally forced common sense to enter the room. They had been told they would have to pay to park at the building or park off site (700m as I recall) at the gate, in the winter....

The solution is to make parking free again everywhere. Its BS they make members pay for ‘market value’ in the area. I don’t pay for parking in my civilian job, it’s provided.

Just as military housing shouldn’t be based off market rate, flat rate across the country, build enough housing for the troops for the flat rate, and a end to the PLD (or whatever replaced it is called).

 

[Ostrozac]

FWIW our premier here in the hinterlands of MB has put the word out that any provincial employee that worked downtown Winnipeg prior to the pandemic has to return to the office. It’s not law that I know of but they do want to revitalize the downtown and the provincial Civil Service is part of that solution.

So the actual real measurable value of a provincial civil servant is the coffees and lunches they purchase? Interesting. Maybe accurate, but interesting.

Recent studies in The Economist mirror the results of the Stanford study — 10% to 20% loss in productivity from WFH. Given the cost of downtown infrastructure and real estate, that productivity haircut would likely be worth it. Add in that you can recruit your 80% worker from a wider geographic area, it does seem like a no brainer, especially in a worker shortage environment. An 80% productive worker (that doesn’t need downtown office space) beats the hell out of a vacancy, which gives you 0% productivity and the cost of maintaining that empty cubicle.

 

[dapaterson]

Add in that you can recruit your 80% worker from a wider geographic area, it does seem like a no brainer, especially in a worker shortage environment. An 80% productive worker (that doesn’t need downtown office space) beats the hell out of a vacancy, which gives you 0% productivity and the cost of maintaining that empty cubicle.

Greater geographic diversity in the PS (provincial or federal) has the added benefit of piercing the bubble surrounding capitals, and introducing regional awareness beyond token surveys structured to deliver decision based evidence making.

 

[markppcli]

Why is every aviator, sailor, and soldier back at work if they can work from home? Because the SM needs to see them daily to feel special?

Next time my techs are working late on a Friday with no scheduled PT I suppose the rest of the CAF should to ensure my techs don't feel left out, and stay late too. My shift workers don't get sports days, or early secure before long weekends, so maybe the rest of the CAF shouldn't... Something about shared hardships and all of that.

I propose all CAF bases charge for parking, just so the rest of the CAF feels the NCR's hardships. Fair is fair after all.

The CAF is a job about humans working with and leading humans, fundamentally. While we had to temporarily set that aside, for a national health emergency, those skills do atrophy. Every base is back to working on site. Bde / Div staffs are showing up to work, talking to each other, briefing in person, ect. The Fleet is doing the same. Cold Lake doesn’t have Sqn Ops working from home. The fact that some in Ottawa want to work like the civil servants beside them probably says a lot about how they see their actual role in this organization.


If everyone starts charging parking can we work out a compensation system for those of us without any public transit / whose spouses have to travel for work?

 

[dimsum]

Why is every aviator, sailor, and soldier back at work if they can work from home? Because the SM needs to see them daily to feel special?

Next time my techs are working late on a Friday with no scheduled PT I suppose the rest of the CAF should to ensure my techs don't feel left out, and stay late too. My shift workers don't get sports days, or early secure before long weekends, so maybe the rest of the CAF shouldn't... Something about shared hardships and all of that.

Re: shift workers - what’s their shift schedule like?

I’ve seen different organizations’ shift schedules both inside and outside the CAF, and usually the shift work schedule allows for more actual days off than the “day worker” M-F schedule. Granted, depending on what shifts you’re doing, you’re trying to adjust your sleep cycle but in pure “how many days do you work a month”, it’s usually less than a M-F with “one extra day for a long weekend” a month.

Where I’m at, I would love to be on the shift worker schedule. The only downside is the shifting sleep pattern but other than that, I think the work is far more interesting.

I propose all CAF bases charge for parking, just so the rest of the CAF feels the NCR's hardships. Fair is fair after all.

…and I propose that all WO and up wear service dress Mon-Thurs to match the NCR.

 

[Furniture]

The CAF is a job about humans working with and leading humans, fundamentally. While we had to temporarily set that aside, for a national health emergency, those skills do atrophy. Every base is back to working on site. Bde / Div staffs are showing up to work, talking to each other, briefing in person, ect. The Fleet is doing the same. Cold Lake doesn’t have Sqn Ops working from home.

You seem to be under the impression that nobody in Ottawa is ever in the office, and that in-person meetings/briefings aren't occurring. That is not the case, and has not been the case since Ontario loosened it's COVID restrictions back in 2021.

What is happening is people are working a day or two from home to catch up on the work that does not require "working with and leading humans". All the policy and other admin that needs to happen, but doesn't require chatting with others, or the chat needs to be via email anyway because the other person is a civil servant that isn't in the office that day.

The fact that some in Ottawa want to work like the civil servants beside them probably says a lot about how they see their actual role in this organization.

You're right, by virtue of a posting message all people in the NCR automatically become "lesser" CAF members. Thankfully we have our superiors posted elsewhere to remind us that we aren't dedicated enough... I can't wait until I become a superior CAF member again by getting posted out of the NCR.

Re: shift workers - what’s their shift schedule like?

I’ve seen different organizations’ shift schedules both inside and outside the CAF, and usually the shift work schedule allows for more actual days off than the “day worker” M-F schedule. Granted, depending on what shifts you’re doing, you’re trying to adjust your sleep cycle but in pure “how many days do you work a month”, it’s usually less than a M-F with “one extra day for a long weekend” a month.

Where I’m at, I would love to be on the shift worker schedule. The only downside is the shifting sleep pattern but other than that, I think the work is far more interesting.

If you count hours rather than calendar days things get more even. Then throw in that shift workers don't get "sliders", "sports days", and other perks of being a day worker in a unit with little daily operational activity and it quickly shifts to the day workers coming out ahead.

The downside of shift work goes beyond a broken sleep cycle, as a broken sleep cycle has negative health impacts. Also, there is a the negative social impact of not having evenings and weekends free to socialize with friends. Those with families also miss out on spending time with children who are on a normal schedule.

…and I propose that all WO and up wear service dress Mon-Thurs to match the NCR.

I 100% support this. If you're sitting in an office all day, why aren't you in office appropriate attire? Need to go down to the hangar floor/stables/shop? Change into coveralls/CADPAT.

If I can wake up from a deep sleep and be dressed and at my action station in under 6 minutes, people can get changed into "work" clothing in a reasonable time.

 

[Halifax Tar]

And another thread had divulged into a dress thread.

I'm sure soon the ARes reorganization will creep in.

 

[MilEME09]

And another thread had divulged into a dress thread.

I'm sure soon the ARes reorganization will creep in.

Well you see, if we start charging parking at ARes armouries, we could afford gear to train with, some something reconstitution, something something reg forces fault....

 

[daftandbarmy]

Well you see, if we start charging parking at ARes armouries, we could afford gear to train with, some something reconstitution, something something reg forces fault....

Meanwhile: if living the Class B dream was a .gif

 

[Good2Golf]

Meanwhile: if living the Class B dream was a .gif

“Multiyear” Class B contract…

 

[MilEME09]

“Multiyear” Class B contract…

Back when Class BA was a thing?

 

[lenaitch]

Correct! You can add in the private sector too...

The Psychopathic CEO​

“He is a charismatic leader who inspires people to follow him. A strategic thinker who can master the details. A tireless worker with incredible focus and problem-solving skills. He is well-liked by his employees but is also able to make and execute unpopular decisions. Above all, he is an exceptional communicator who can convey a vision to any audience, from Wall Street to the most junior employee.”

The quote above could describe an ideal CEO. But it’s actually a portrait of a corporate psychopath, provided by a law enforcement official who declined to be identified because they weren’t authorized to publicly comment. People with psychopathy crave power and dominant positions, experts say. But they are also chameleons, able to disguise their ruthlessness and antisocial behavior under the veneer of charm and eloquence. In the most extreme, clinical, cases those traits have allowed serial killers to elude capture.

But when it comes to the corporate world, non-violent, corporate psychopaths are not running from the law, but instead, rushing to the executive suite. One route to grabbing power for the highly intelligent psychopath is to climb the corporate ladder. There is a real chance that at some point a chief financial officer will be confronted with a psychopathic boss. Roughly 4% to as high as 12% of CEOs exhibit psychopathic traits, according to some expert estimates, many times more than the 1% rate found in the general population and more in line with the 15% rate found in prisons.

The Psychopathic CEO

When it comes to the corporate world, non-violent, corporate psychopaths are not running from the law, but instead, rushing to the executive suite.

www.forbes.com

and... just because this guy's pretty funny....

How To Tell If You Work For A Sociopath Or Psychopath​

You won't find the terms “psychopath” or “sociopath” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders since they use the more politically correct, clinical term—antisocial personality disorder.

We don’t need a textbook description anyway, as we all know one when we see one—well, not exactly. Due to their “antisocial behavior,” psychopaths and sociopaths are clever and hard to spot.

Experts claim that psychopaths and sociopaths share similar characteristics. They lack a sense of what’s right and wrong and are incapable of truly understanding another person’s feelings.

The difference between the two is that the psychopath doesn’t have a conscience. He could lie to you about the job, tell you that you’ll get a promotion and bonus when he knows full well that you won’t. He’ll look you dead in the eyes and say your job is super safe and secure right up until the moment he fires you.

A sociopath is the psychopath’s little brother. He has a bit of a conscience and recognizes that he’s lying to you, but does it anyway.

Why the psychological dissertation you may ask? Well for one, I’d like to get my money’s worth of a psychology degree and prove to my parents that I put it to use. Well, I can’t really do that since they’ve both passed away and I’m technically an orphan now. Is it possible to be an orphan when you’re over 40 years old?

The corporate world is lousy with psychopaths, sociopaths and antisocial people. Some industries, such as Wall Street, are said to be overrun with these sorts. There are studies that claim you have to be on the high end of the psychopathic spectrum to attain the exalted title of CEO at a top corporation.

The challenge for all of us nonpsychopaths is that it's hard to tell if you’ve accepted a job from one or find yourself working for this type of character. You may start working for someone that seems brilliant, articulate, sensitive, caring and supportive. As time goes on, you realize he may not be all that he seems.


Here are some signs to watch out for to determine if you’re working for a sociopathic or psychopathic boss.

These managers may lack empathy and understanding.

They don’t have any regard for others. They’ll come across charming and charismatic and mimic real emotions. They’ll pretend that they’re interested in you, but they really don’t know what it's like to be in someone else’s shoes. They’re skilled actors who feign interest to manipulate you for their own personal gains and corporate advancement.

They yell and scream.

Sociopaths tend to be hot headed and spiral out of control. They’ll call you out in front of your colleagues and bite your head off for minor mistakes. It's most likely not even your fault—and probably his. There is no talking to the boss, as he is right and you are wrong.

Supervisors steal the credit.

You’ll labor on a difficult project for months. You’ve sacrificed nights, weekends and family functions to deliver for your manager ahead of schedule. Proudly, you provide the finished product. Behind closed doors, he happily and excitedly tells you how proud he is of you, extols all of your virtues, slaps you on the back and talks about a possible promotion and raise.

At the high-level meeting with senior executives to present the work, your manager takes all of the credit. He pretends that you weren't involved at all. The manager barks at you to scurry back to his office and pick up some key documents that he prepared, which you really prepared.

When you return to the board room, he says “Thanks. You can go back to work now.” As you’re leaving, he adds, “Next time, try to help out a little. Okay?” You can see him shaking his head and grimacing, as if he had to do everything on his own. The other execs laugh at his over-the-top mocking and glare at you as you sheepishly walk out with your head down.

They micromanage.

Your boss is the king. He dictatorially proclaims where you must sit, when you may take your lunch, how you speak, when you must arrive at the office and what time you can leave work at night. He controls every single aspect of your job and work-life. You are subjected to endless degradation, constantly being criticized and corrected.

What’s funny—as if anything can be humorous in this hellhole—is that after the 10th time, he re-edits your work, you hand it back. It's all his work product at this point in time, but he tells you that you did a poor job and must redo it once more.

Sorry, there will be no bonuses.

The official word from your manager is, “According to top management, there will be no raises or bonuses this year.” Mysteriously, you later find out that he received a phenomenal raise and much bigger bonus than last year.

Your boss is unstable and two-faced.

In the morning, your boss is nice, sweet and caring. One small event will then turn him into a monster that is hysterically yelling. After belittling, yelling and embarrassing you, he then says, “Hey, let’s go out for a drink and watch the game,” as if nothing happened.

Me, me, me.

He knows everything about everything and will make sure that you and everyone else knows this. His job, his life, his work and his relationships are the only things that matter. He will spend hours complaining about how difficult it is to be him. Beware! If you accidentally tell him that you broke both of your legs and need to leave early to go to the doctor, he will rip your head off for bringing up personal matters during working hours.

Divide and conquer.

He creates dissent and animosity between co-workers, pitting them against each other for any morsel of credit, raise or promotion.

There’s always a teacher’s pet.

There is always this one person on the team who is a complete idiot, but knows how to butter up the boss to get on his good side. The person is his eyes and ears and will report back to him that you took an extra two minutes in the bathroom. Usually that person will be thrown under the bus and will take the blame for the mess the supervisor has made. The boss will quickly get another pet to train and play with until he’s bored with that person.

Your boss conducts endless meetings and lectures.

You are held prisoner in neverending meetings and closed-door conversations. This jail time is an excuse for him to pontificate about how awesome he is and how horribly incompetent you are.

There is almost no way to win if you’re in this situation. My best advice is to recognize that you’re working for a monster and find ways to extricate yourself from this situation.

The longer you remain in this toxic relationship, the more your self-esteem and confidence will be eroded. You’ll feel beaten, humiliated and depressed.

Treat this like any bad relationship. Cut the cord and your losses. Move onto to a place that appreciates all of the great things you have to offer.

How To Tell If You Work For A Sociopath Or Psychopath

You may start working for someone that seems brilliant, articulate, sensitive, caring and supportive. As time goes on, you realize he may not be all that he seems. Here are some of the signs to watch out for.

www.forbes.com

I worked for two. I suppose in 31 years that's not so bad.

The other issues with Downtown residential development is that there is a small percentage of the population that want to live there. Realistically you have single professionals, and very young families (as few families want to raise children downtown, let alone schools etc).

I don't know how much Toronto is an indicator but the number of downtown condos is significant and there are many who prefer living in the deep urban environment. Amenities, transit, work, entertainment, etc. are all close at hand and no vehicle needed. One downside, as discussed in another thread, is the dearth of larger condos/apartments for those who want to get into the family way.

Once you get a critical mass of residents, it works against the decay, although the gentrification can raise the prices out of range for many, even for older established areas.

If everyone starts charging parking can we work out a compensation system for those of us without any public transit / whose spouses have to travel for work?

The issue of employee parking was floated as an issue in the Ontario government a number of years back; although I can't recall if it was started by the Auditor or came from the CRA, but I recall the idea that free parking would be assessed as taxable benefit. Once they determined that a large number of government offices are out of range for any alternative, particularly for those who don't work 9-5, the idea died (perhaps for now).

 

[ff149]

When I worked shift in the military, most of the time we had to do a lot of "military" things on our days off. Anything from dental, medicals, range training. I've done medical training in the day and worked shift work at night as we were below minimum manning. But that was a while ago, hopefully things changed.

As far as charging for parking. My employer now classifies parking as a taxable benefit, but at GTA rates. So it does happen in civilian world as well. A lot of the people working for my agency weren't exactly happy when that came out.