Yes - and what could be dscribed as at two ends of the spectrum.
A heartening story......
Stuart Hale is a 'disabled' employee, whose recently endured a fairly difficult time recently but has managed to return to work. So what you might say? Well, that's where the 'normal' story ends.
You see Stuart Hale became 'disabled' whilst serving in Afghanistan. To be more truthful, Corporal Hale unfortunately lost a leg when he and several of his team unwittingly entered a minefield. Events surrounding his terrible ordeal are captured in a recent article.
The story took on a tragi-farcical line in that his rescue took over 5 hours, as due to budget cuts, the rescue helicopter did not have a winch to haul them out (couldn't land for fear of setting off further mines). That's unbelievable in itself. One of his team was killed.
Corporal Hale now has a prosthetic leg. Two years after the incident he is back out there serving his country. He may not be quite 'bionic' but you get my thread. What an outstanding example of somebody serving his country. Corporal we salute you - I trust that you and your comrades make it safely back this time.....
A despicable story....
You may remember news last year of the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust where over 90 people died and 1100 people were affected from the superbug (Clostridium difficile). You may recall the particularly horrific pictures of facilities that can only be described as disgustingly filthy ('poor hygiene standards' was the official term used) - it made one of my blog entries somewhere.
You may also recall the public outcry as the Chief Executive, Rose Gibb, who left by mutual consent ('sacked' is another term you can use) as it happened on her watch, and received a payoff of £75,000 (six months salary - the Trust had to take legal advice). Well it apparently doesn't end there.
News that Ms Rose Gibb is going to the High Court in a further attempt to claim an undisclosed amount (£250,000 has been mooted - her full severance package).
It is privilege to be a CEO, particularly one in the public sector. Individuals can choose to accept full responsibility in fulfilling his/her duties given the position or not as the case may be. There really isn't a middle ground.
I find this story particularly sad - I can only conjure up the word 'incredible'.
For those who like their comparisons along gender lines these stories provide an interesting juxtaposition.....'one giveth the other taketh'.
When we talk about diversity - well, here's as diverse as it gets..............
