pixy
Good post and agree with much of what you've said.
I was also about to respond to AC, in particular to his assertion that he doesn't get paid whilst he's sick or on leave. I would have, had I not received a personal message, the content of which was anything but professional. I will not go into detail as to it's content. However, for someone who prides himself on having worked for a US major I did found it rather ironic that he had the immaturity to send a fellow colleague such a spiteful and angry message. When you have to highlight your own professional prowess to someone you don't actually know, whilst deriding others, it's time for some serious introspection.
I will not be subtly bullied into sharing his frustration, made from his own wrongdoing and poor decisions that others are now being blamed for. His message, along with all his future posts will be ignored.
The sooner he 'rejoins' one of the illustrious US majors, the better it will be for all.