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[Lazydocker]

Another couple of thoughts are Franchises... Chimney sweep (although that too can be quite physical) which would be quite busy in my area, or a specialist fuel drain company for all the muppets that put the wrong fuel in at the filling station

The latter is actually not a particularly demanding job (physically) and something I have a fair bit of experience in anyway from my garage time Not a huge startup cost and high profit return. If anyone here has ever put the wrong fuel in you'll know how much it costs to have it drained out... There's not a lot to it either

[I_want_an_Omega]

I'm sorry it's finally coming to a head.

What is the prognosis on the back? Just thinking, both a sparky and a plumber are jobs that require you to be able to get about and do some lifting, etc. (my brother is a sparky and currently up on roofs fitting solar panels) and, whilst they are 99% common sense for someone who knows the basics, the route to being professionally certified is a long one in both cases. I'm wondering if something you can do from a desk wouldn't be a better way to invest that time until you know you are 100% again? :-/

I hope something turns up soon, at any rate.

You beat me to it Kevin. I've just had some electrics done by a pal to took redundancy at the same time as me and retrained as a sparky. @ the age of 54 he was really struggling up in the roof spaces  & he is quite fit. 

[henryd]

1st thing that comes to mind....and I really dont wanna throw a spanner in the works....

But realistically, is your back going to be able to cope with either of those, both in the short, and long term?

And of course...sorry your company are being like this, Not an easy time I know...

Not throwing a spanner in the works at all... The same thought had crossed my mind and I wouldn't be able to work properly until after I had recovered from surgery. It was something I was considering about 5 years ago but never got around to it

As im discovering, its a lot easier to dismiss ideas than it is to come up with good ones 

TBH, I had pretty much ruled them both out anyway... Just needed someone else to tell me what a stupid idea it was

Nothing stupid about it,good on you for having the guts to re-train,a lot of folk would just sign on the sick and be done with it

[Kevin Wood]

Another couple of thoughts are Franchises... Chimney sweep (although that too can be quite physical) which would be quite busy in my area, or a specialist fuel drain company for all the muppets that put the wrong fuel in at the filling station

The latter is actually not a particularly demanding job (physically) and something I have a fair bit of experience in anyway from my garage time Not a huge startup cost and high profit return. If anyone here has ever put the wrong fuel in you'll know how much it costs to have it drained out... There's not a lot to it either

Yep. Fuel drain jobs take the p**s cost wise and, as you say, probably aren't that physically demanding. I do wonder how much of that cost is down to disposing of the fuel in an environmentally friendly way (or, at least, gaining certificates that say you do ) but it's not something I know anything about. Certainly one to investigate further, IMHO.

[Kevin Wood]

Incidentally, a mate of mine has worked draining contaminated fuel in a marine environment so I'll see if I can glean some info next time I see him (probably tomorrow).

I know that where it's straightforward sea water contamination they put it through a cyclone and recover the fuel back to the vessel while separating off the water, but he'll have some idea, I'm sure.

[Lazydocker]

1st thing that comes to mind....and I really dont wanna throw a spanner in the works....

But realistically, is your back going to be able to cope with either of those, both in the short, and long term?

And of course...sorry your company are being like this, Not an easy time I know...

Not throwing a spanner in the works at all... The same thought had crossed my mind and I wouldn't be able to work properly until after I had recovered from surgery. It was something I was considering about 5 years ago but never got around to it

As im discovering, its a lot easier to dismiss ideas than it is to come up with good ones 

TBH, I had pretty much ruled them both out anyway... Just needed someone else to tell me what a stupid idea it was

Nothing stupid about it,good on you for having the guts to re-train,a lot of folk would just sign on the sick and be done with it

Thanks. Tbh, I have to be a little sensible and realistic... I can't do something too physical as after a double fusion my spinal movement will be slightly restricted

[Lazydocker]

Incidentally, a mate of mine has worked draining contaminated fuel in a marine environment so I'll see if I can glean some info next time I see him (probably tomorrow).

I know that where it's straightforward sea water contamination they put it through a cyclone and recover the fuel back to the vessel while separating off the water, but he'll have some idea, I'm sure.

Any extra info is great

I've done my fair share of automotive fuel drain downs and know what's involved... It is high on the list of potentials and also makes me the boss, avoiding the hurdle of getting through the initial sort where someone sees I've been off work for 8 months to a year with a back problem

[Nickbat]

Sorry to hear about that, mate. Best advice I can give is to become a politician. Loads of money, work when you feel like it, plenty of expenses and no-one to answer to.....

     

[Lazydocker]

Sorry to hear about that, mate. Best advice I can give is to become a politician. Loads of money, work when you feel like it, plenty of expenses and no-one to answer to.....

     

I'm impressed you managed to get politics into this thread NB!

But on a more serious note... I've got too much of a conscience to become a politician... I like to sleep at night Same reason I won't go and do private sales in the home for some kitchen/bathroom companies

[TheBoy]

Yep. Fuel drain jobs take the p**s cost wise

And so they should

If the country's laws prevent us from shooting incredibly stupid people, then bankrupt them is the next best way forward. Then shoot them.

[razzo]

Had to see the company quack today about my back. Wasn't really a surprise... He won't let me work with a broken bone in my back and a body full of painkillers and having been off for about 8 months now I'm likely to have my employment terminated within the next couple of weeks

Unfortunately I am well aware that I'm not a "desirable" employee at the moment and, to use a phrase from a discussion this weekend, I'm unlikely to pass a "Paper Sift" until I have had the surgery to repair the break

Fortunately I should get a pay off that is sufficient to see me through a few months and I'm seriously thinking about re-training as a plumber or a sparky. I've done both at DIY level and have no concerns with doing it but do fear that it may go the same way as spanner twirling did for me (began to resent it because I had to do it and it was no longer enjoyable) :-/ :-/
Any thoughts or advice from OOFland?

made that mistake along time ago, doing it because you enjoy it is far different from doing it because it pays the bills, but best of luck mate

[feeutfo]

Driving any good? Taxi? Rarely need to get out the car at all except for the odd bag in the boot...? plus the other options discussed.

Bit boring maybe...?  Need to get fixed first though. (didn't need to say that last bit did I)

[Jimbob]

Driving any good? Taxi? Rarely need to get out the car at all except for the odd bag in the boot...? plus the other options discussed.

Bit boring maybe...?  Need to get fixed first though. (didn't need to say that last bit did I)

I was talking to my next door neighbour about this yesterday - he does private hire.

He said there that many people lost jobs lately, loads have started on the cabs.   He is doing longer and longer days, and bringing in less money as there are too many cabs and not enough customers.

Looks like councils really need to take demand / supply into account with licenses.

[Lazydocker]

Driving any good? Taxi? Rarely need to get out the car at all except for the odd bag in the boot...? plus the other options discussed.

Bit boring maybe...?  Need to get fixed first though. (didn't need to say that last bit did I)

I was talking to my next door neighbour about this yesterday - he does private hire.

He said there that many people lost jobs lately, loads have started on the cabs.   He is doing longer and longer days, and bringing in less money as there are too many cabs and not enough customers.

Looks like councils really need to take demand / supply into account with licenses.

Yeah... I've got a mate who does it in Ipswich... 12 hour days (most of the time), 7 days a week and he's lucky if he clears £50/day

Not something I've completely ruled out, although I'd be more inclined to do "Executive Transfers" so no drunken chavs to deal with

I actually have a friend acquaintance who has his own Airport taxi business (using Pug 406's) who is on the list of people to chat to... He's always moaning he's too busy and having to turn away work

[tunnie]

Sorry to hear about this 

Does sound like if you do need a new job, it would have to no involve much movement. I know you said you were not keen on office environment.

Maybe time for a complete change? As sitting for the most part I assume is ok?