July 2009 - Guru Blog

Guru has just discovered his new favourite book The New Rules of Work (PDF) by Mike Dauncey, founder of jobs board Tiptopjob.com. The book is described as an "un-pc and frank guide to the modern day world of work". According to Dauncey, the 'new rules' are necessary because the recession has created a seismic shift in the jobs market...

Common sense has prevailed and bosses at the Wookey Hole Caves tourist site in Somerset have appointed a female witch. It's ironic that the new witch has been announced on the same day as the Women and Work Commission criticised the government for failing to tackle gender stereotypes in career advice. Is the job of 'witch' a gender stereotype...

Guru sees the government has launched a consultation into how the UK officially recognises Workers Memorial Day or, as most of us know it, 28 April. Good old socialist Labour wants to give bereaved families, unions who represent workers, and the public, the opportunity to have their say about how they would like to mark the day and commemorate those...

Thanks to those disciples who have sent in examples of the best out of office email messages they have received. Here are some cracking examples: Remember - the best wins six bottles of HR wine! Sent: 19 September 2008 13:56 Please note that I am currently unavailable as I am down the pub for the next two weeks. The pub is situated on a tropical island...

Guru has stumbled across this cautionary tale of a London-based office worker hospitalised after her hair was caught in the blades of a desk fan. This bloody incident happened during the mini heatwave at the start of July and lead to Emily Hutnyk suffering blood loss and lacerations to the scalp. With temperatures topping well above 30 degrees, she...

Police bosses have formally recognised pagans as a minority group and given the bobbies who practice witchcraft the same rights as other minority groups. Coppers in the new Pagan Police Association will have guaranteed holiday on the faith's festival days around summer solstice and Halloween. PC Andy Pardy, who set up the association, told Police...

We are approaching the school holidays and the time of year when most parents use the bulk of their annual leave. Phone calls go answered, emails go unread and post remains unopened. It's the time of year when UK Plc effectively shutdowns for six weeks. There is nothing more infuriating when you send or forward an email to a colleague or key contact...

Wanted: TV host, £220 per shift, three days a week, good in front of the camera... and be happy to work semi-naked. Jobcentre Plus is fulfilling its duty to advertise any legal job - this one just happens to be for the host of a TV porn channel. The advert on the Jobcentre Plus website states: "Duties involve explicit sexual dialogue which may...