November 5, 2008
A longstanding member of Guru's internet favourites list, it seems online auction site eBay could just be the answer to the world's ills.
Once seen merely as a way of getting hold of tickets to a sold-out gig, fake designer gear and obscure Elvis memorabilia, eBay has evolved into the answer to the credit crunch.
Struggling with the gas bill? Flog some old rubbish on eBay to make ends meet. Want to escape it all? Buy a new life abroad. And if your wages are not keeping pace with inflation, why not sell your dirty knickers on eBay?
A 24- year-old female nurse - Guru is excited already - tried to do exactly that while on duty at a hospital in Plymouth.
Well, if that isn't an example of thinking outside the box, Guru doesn't know what is.
However, sensing there was something fishy going on, eBay staff put a halt to McMillan's sale, insisting it breached their policy.
Now the naughty - and probably draughty - nurse has been hauled in front of a disciplinary panel, who were probably hoping for their very own Sharon Stone moment.
Instead, the panel heard that IT security officers employed by the hospital searched McMillan's work inbox and found the original eBay listing. Rumours that they chipped in £3 each are unfounded, Guru has been assured.
The fact is, employers should be harnessing this resourcefulness during the credit crunch. If all our nurses sold their old underwear and paid just 10% of the proceeds into the NHS, we could all have a tax cut, there would be no need for public sector strikes and at least one HR sage would sleep more comfortably in his bed at night.
Anyone fancy starting the bidding on Mrs Guru's big pants?
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