MarkW

As it stands they are paying double statutory with no cap, hence why my payment should be quite good Thats two weeks per year up to age 41, then 3 weeks per year. This is what everyone who has left so far has been given, but they could always change it. This is why I think they might prefer peple to leave of their own accord when their usefullness has expired. It's going to take a while to get them to clarify the situation but will keep you posted..... I've got a final salary pension scheme at the moment too!

Thanks for all the help and advice guys. I will try ACAS and CAB to see what they say. Andy, mugwump - some very interesting points there. I really dont want to go down this route and hope I dont have to, but it does help to hear from other experiences, and it does also concern me what future employers might think. Louis - yes, if you dont mind asking. Its early days yet but just need to understand what my options are. I'm going to take things up with the company first, so I can be completely clear as to where I stand. There are 3 of us in the same position at the moment so we are all conferring over this. We are in a stronger position at the moment as they need us to complete some work, but in six months or so they will be able to do what they like. All I want is to be able to walk away with the redundancy I am entitled to, and to get another job. We are talking of over £30k so if I leave either voluntarily or am 'forced out' I stand to loose a lot. It is the loss of redundancy I was hoping to claim for if the worst happens. I have been on some employment law courses several years ago, but these were more as an employer than an employee. It was very clear from here though that if the company doesnt follow the correct procedure, then the employee has a far better case. I too have been on the other side of the fence. I suspended a guy several years ago for drinking at lunchtime and fighting in the pub!, who was subsequently dismissed. He then sucessfully appealed and he got his job back, which I thought was madness but it shows that employers are sometimes scared of employees who threaten action. Long service and company loyalty dont seem to count for anything any more.

Has anyone got any suggestions on where to go to get some (preferably free) initial advice on employment law? Not mentioning any names I have worked for the same UK company for over16 years as an IT Manager. We were taken over 2 years ago by a large international company and it is now obvious that along with several others, I do not have a future here. I am still needed for the next 6-12 months, and we have been told after that if there are no opportunities we will get redundancy - which is fine with me as I should get a resonable pay off. The problem is that it seems they are trying to put us in a position which forces us to leave - thus not paying redundancy. The biggest issue is removing our car allowance. I have had a company car /car allowance for the last 16 years and they talking of removing it at the end of the year as my grade and job role doesnt justify it. My grade and role dont justify it because they have changed it. Over half my previous responsibilities have been taken from me. Is there a case here for constructive dismissal? Part of me just wants to leave now (I am looking), but it makes financial sense to stay and take redundancy. I know they have 'forced out' other managers in the company, some of which have taken them to tribunal and won. In all my career, I have never had a dispute with any employee, but its not pleasant being trodden on and dont feel like I should let them get away with it. Any legal people out there? Do I have a case?

I'll probably have sold mine by the time I get to the giddy hights of the no-sticker club

Excellent pics Must get up to the lakes this year if possible.....

With Black non-Rays wheels. About 9AM this morning, I was in a nice black Micra having just dropped my car off for a service. What a nightmare getting to Warwick this morning as they closed the M40.

Finally got round to taking some pics of my refurbished wheels / car.....

When you have this problem, how often do you hear it and under what conditions? I also occasionally hear what I would describe as small stones rattling around the rear wheel arch when driving, and I assumed thats what it was. It doesnt happen very often and didnt bother me, but I this has got me thinking. As I was thinking of selling (not so sure now) and ive only got 6 months warranty left I dont want to be stuck with a problem out of warranty. It's booked in for a service next week, so should maybe I just get them to check it, though im not sure that there is anything wrong...

I'd still go for the thirsty whore if you could A couple of years ago a previous gf also bought a Cooper S after we test drove both back to back. There did seem a big difference in performance. Plus the works kit on an S gives you a much bigger increase than on the cooper if you ever think of getting it.

My gf bought a Cooper S last October. Its almost a mirror image of the one you want, black with silver viper stripes, fogs and dark tints. Its four years old but like new inside and out. I think it looks and drives great. We bought privately and got a good deal but it has developed a couple of niggling faults.... 1) The rear wash doesnt work, though a £3 part bought this week should fix that, 2) there is a creaking noise when you turn the steering wheel when when the car is stationary - sterring rack? 3) Most annoyingly - the boot release has stopped working so you cant get into the boot. (there is an emergency release under the back seat) Dont think the mpg is great either, but she doesnt do that many miles so not really a problem. And theyre NOT gay either

Ive got a funny animated cartoon of this somewhere on my PC at home....

Here are the P1 service prices ive been quoted by midlands dealers which may be helpful for anyone else in the area: Colliers Birmingham: £280 West Way Birmingham : £240 Coventry: £250 Warwick: £210 Guess where Im taking it now......

Was behind you in my g/fs black cooper S this afternoon going down lode lane............. Was it morg who spotted me before?

Totally agree...I would use one if i could find a local one! Swansea is a bit far

That's a massive difference to £280, even with £50 worth of oil. I dont know how they can get away with it. In the words of Catherine Tate.... "The dirty evil money robbing ba****ds!"

Need a rant....... Just booked my car in for a P1 service as it is due in 1000 miles so I thought I would get it done before I sell it as it will be an incentive to any future buyer. I've just been quoted £280 for a P1 service! when the same garage charged me £250 last year for a P2 which at the time i thought expensive. Isnt the P1 more or less just an oil change and a few checks? When I asked the nice lady why it was so expensive, she said that prices do go up over time, plus ive done more miles now! ffs! Phoned the other Bham dealer who have quoted £240, and waiting for another one to call me back. I was expecting it to be around £150-£180ish. Are they taking the mick or is this the price everyone is paying these days? I know there are cheaper dealers out there, but I dont really want to have to drive 100 miles and take a day off work just for a service! Rant over

Thats almost too cheap for a 1 year old car I would expect it to be more in the region of £22-24k at a dealer. I was hoping to sell my 2005 GT4 for more than that!

You mean the black chrome that only 2 people voted for? Yeah and one of then was me

Would have kept them standard myself which was a smoked silver. Will be interesting to see these. Looking forward to seeing the pics. Yeah, you're probably right. It would have cost me £50 less to have them as standard silver too, but I just wanted to be different......

Looking very good indeed.

The 'black chrome' in the end....probably look like Jonathan's pic, maybe a bit darker. Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh this afternoon

Just dropped car off this morning for the wheels to be done. Hoping im gonna like em when they're done........ Will post up pics but prob not until the weekend.

Thats a bargain. Dont know if I could use it as an only car though, much better than an elsie obviously but still a way short of a 350Z/Boxster/Z4 comfort levels. I do like the look of them though in a "thats different - what is it" sort of way, plus its a Lotus which is a name with british heritage that everybody knows.

I thought that too!! 89 that rings a bell, anyone on here? someone else is selling their GT4.......... MarkW? Mine's not up for sale yet. Still gotta get round to having the wheels and a service done. Ive got a p/x valuation for mine from Glasses at £19500 and thats at 24000 miles, so anything less than that is a good deal. I'm surprised theres no reserve as a dealer should give him £18k for it straight off. Liam - I'll do you a deal on mine instead and you can choose what colour to have the wheels refurbed!

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