[simon123]

my guys are on an hourly rate - the £220 bonus is dependant on their completing 36hrs per week - in other words they received a pay rise of £1.41 per hour.

Alan out of interest what hourly rate were they on before the £1.41 rise.

£1 !!!

[Tosh]

We're just happy ticking along, paying the bills; not stressing or working too hard (though we do work hard - but not for extended periods of time), with enough money to get a few beers in and to be able to afford a few luxuries, like soap and toothpaste.

It's good not to be in a 'rat race' and getting yourself all stressed out about work; is it?  In a previous life I was promoted from a private soldier to a Staff Sergeant and posted to a Warrant Officer Class II post (and paid for it); fairly quickly too.  I was even called 'Sir' by those soldiers who didn't see my rank but assumed I was a 'Sir' because of the job I did.

But I only gained promotion by working long-tough hours, over-and-above what would be expected; and of course by my natrual leadership qualities, talent, charm, wit and intelligence; and my good looks too.   We had all the material stuff; we had a brand new car each year; my last was a top-of-the-range Freelander; holidays to nice places, Venice is nice this time of year, but my family suffered due to my work regime, and so did I! 

So, I think when you have a family, there's a fine line to tread over being too ambitious and working too hard, and making sure your family and yourself have a good quality of life; which doesn't always mean earning loads of cash.

My ambition is to work three-days-a-week and have the same quality of life as we do by working four-or-five-days per week!

The lazy git I am, but we're all happy; usually!

[matt]

My ambition is to work three-days-a-week and have the same quality of life as we do by working four-or-five-days per week!

The lazy git I am, but we're all happy; usually!

watch it tosh, you will be having your invitation to the "slackers club"