It is now an archive for my newspaper and magazine pieces. My blog can now be read at: www.spectator.co.uk/stephenpollard
Politics, economics and culture from the master. Unmissable.
Melanie Phillips home page
Melanie Phillips' peerless blog. Read, and learn.
Daniel Finkelstein's Times Comment Central
A daily must-read.
Tim Worstall
Lots of interesting nibbles - and a ruthless swatter of economic gibberish.
Harry's Place
Must-read left of centre blog from writers who understand the threat to the West.
Clive Davis
Always interesting selection of culture and politics, from an Anglo-American bent.
Samizdata
Libertarian blog, packed every day.
Norm's blog
The thoroughly sensible thoughts of renowned left-wing academic Norman Geras, Professor of Government at Manchester. And cricket, too.
Public Interest
Peter Briffa's inimitable take on The Yazzmonster and other assorted demons.
Reform
The public sector reform group; their website is an invaluable source of data and ideas.
Centre for the New Europe
The leading European public policy think tank.
Developed by:
| February | 27 |
| 2007 |
Sitting on the Eurostar, I've just heard one of the best pieces of workplace jargon ever.
A woman is discussing sacking one of her colleagues: "She'll be given an exit interview".
Beat that!
UPDATE: Fair points in the comments that this is apparently a standard term. (Mind you, hearing the whole conversation it was clear the woman concerned had no idea she was being sacked and was going to be frogmarched out of the office after the 'exit interview'. And I did point out to the woman speaking so loudly on the phone that the entire carriage could hear her discussing the sacking of a colleague, the colleague's name and could work out the company concerned with a moment's thought.)
MessageSpace
Pretty standard term for a formal interview with a leaving employee. Usual idea is that they will give more honest feedback on some subjects and people, make sure the exit procedures have been followed, and identify problems that may exist under the surface.
I suppose it could be used euphemistically, but more likely they we just discussing the bureaucratic process to follow.
Sorry!
I suppose when your professional experience is confined to think tanks and leader writing you have no idea about normal workplaces. Not that it'll stop you commentating on them, of course.