NATS one of best 20 companies to work for in UK
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Not the worst thing
I don't think the split into NSL and NERL was the worst thing NATS has ever done as this was effectively forced on NATS by PPP as the company has to demonstrate that NSL is no way funded or subsidised by NERL. The worst thing that has happened is the separate negoitaions for the controllers and the rest, the whole bargaining power of the union is undermined IMHO.
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Originally Posted by Gonzo
It will also be interesting to see the results from operational and non-op areas of the company.
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Not just question 16, but all of the questions. If you compare Corporate ratings to others, a higher percentage of our corporate colleagues are satisfied in all areas covered by the questionnaire.
A different mindset between different groups of workers in the company perhaps?
IIRC the question that got the highest number of 'dissatisfaction votes' amongst all of the groups was the one about communication across the company.... surely this is one that should have amongst the highest overall score -
poor communications in this respect is indicative of poor management, poor company structure, poor prioritisation etc etc ... something that surely should worry the senior managers, rather than have them pat each other on the backs because we came 20th??
A different mindset between different groups of workers in the company perhaps?
IIRC the question that got the highest number of 'dissatisfaction votes' amongst all of the groups was the one about communication across the company.... surely this is one that should have amongst the highest overall score -
poor communications in this respect is indicative of poor management, poor company structure, poor prioritisation etc etc ... something that surely should worry the senior managers, rather than have them pat each other on the backs because we came 20th??
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As far as communication goes, between you me and the people at work I talk to..
Everyone says communication is important, but I think this particular pudding may have been a little over egged. Let me postulate..
Whenever (which wasn't often) anyone asked about intra company communication, people said it was rubbish, but this was not a generalised comment. It related, as far as ATCOs/ATSAs were concerned, to the fact that the (virtually) only thing anyone cared about and wanted to know was exactly when would we be relocating. This was understandably a touchy subject for the company, being such a slippery date. So all the surveys said "what do you want?", answer "to be given a firm date for the move." which to those conducting the survey equated to "better communication". So now we are awash with letters, bulletins, news sheets and the like, telling us which particular department has been renamed this week etc, when all we really wanted was someone to stick their head over the parapet and say "We're moving on such and such a date. The end"
Just the feeling I get. Or maybe it really is enlightening that we now have more people in offices telling us things we didn't know we didn't know and to be honest, probably didn't care.
Everyone says communication is important, but I think this particular pudding may have been a little over egged. Let me postulate..
Whenever (which wasn't often) anyone asked about intra company communication, people said it was rubbish, but this was not a generalised comment. It related, as far as ATCOs/ATSAs were concerned, to the fact that the (virtually) only thing anyone cared about and wanted to know was exactly when would we be relocating. This was understandably a touchy subject for the company, being such a slippery date. So all the surveys said "what do you want?", answer "to be given a firm date for the move." which to those conducting the survey equated to "better communication". So now we are awash with letters, bulletins, news sheets and the like, telling us which particular department has been renamed this week etc, when all we really wanted was someone to stick their head over the parapet and say "We're moving on such and such a date. The end"
Just the feeling I get. Or maybe it really is enlightening that we now have more people in offices telling us things we didn't know we didn't know and to be honest, probably didn't care.
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Just read it in the Sunday Times. Quite interesting. I think they used good criteria too. Things like, how staff rate the management, worthiness, teamwork environment, job satisfaction, how many see it as their dream job! etc...
Apparently, surveys were only sent out to those employees who could spell their General Manager's name properly.
I do agree that some of the moaners need to get out into the real world. I can understand the pension issues, yeah I would be up in arms too, but there are loads of other elements to working for NATS (hangovers from Civil Service days?) that are way and above what another employer would provide you.
By all means negotiate, but keep it in perspective!
I do agree that some of the moaners need to get out into the real world. I can understand the pension issues, yeah I would be up in arms too, but there are loads of other elements to working for NATS (hangovers from Civil Service days?) that are way and above what another employer would provide you.
By all means negotiate, but keep it in perspective!
niknak
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NATS is still a good number compared to a lot of regional airports.
For those within NATS, how many of you would, or could cope wih a move to a move outwith your "cushioned" environment?
Very, very few, I would contend...
For those within NATS, how many of you would, or could cope wih a move to a move outwith your "cushioned" environment?
Very, very few, I would contend...
niknak
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OK Gonzo, lets take it one step further....
You leave NATS, as I get the impression, you are a big fish in the pond, but where ever you go, you will have to start as the small guy in a big environment.
You will be the lowest of the low, you are nothing until you validate and prove yourself - which will take several years, you will struggle to compete with local competition.
Never mind, off with yer, please let us know how you get on....
You leave NATS, as I get the impression, you are a big fish in the pond, but where ever you go, you will have to start as the small guy in a big environment.
You will be the lowest of the low, you are nothing until you validate and prove yourself - which will take several years, you will struggle to compete with local competition.
Never mind, off with yer, please let us know how you get on....
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Actually niknak, my reply was to illustrate just how superfluous your statement was. How on earth would you know that 'very, very few' of us could contend with a move to a less 'cushioned' environment?
But if you insist...
Interesting. Why would I want to prove myself? And no, before you jump down my throat shouting 'Ah ha!!!, told you so'.....All I'd want to do is prove myself competent to hold a ULE, and be thought of as an 'ok' controller who people like to work with. If I feel that I have to keep proving myself even after, as you put it, 'several years', surely that says more about your unit than it does about me? I'm quite well aware that I'd be a trainee again. However, I pity your trainees if you think of them as 'nothing', the 'lowest of the low', or is that particular honour reserved for those trainees who used to work for NATS?
Personally, I and my colleagues do everything to make trainees feel part of the team, from day one on the unit.
Oh, sorry, I nearly wet myself. This just illustrates that you don't know me.
But if you insist...
You will be the lowest of the low, you are nothing until you validate and prove yourself - which will take several years, you will struggle to compete with local competition.
Personally, I and my colleagues do everything to make trainees feel part of the team, from day one on the unit.
as I get the impression, you are a big fish in the pond
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It's quite insulting to suggest that NATS ATCOs would be unable to cope outside of the supposed cushioned environment that is NATS.
It may have some good points but you would expect these working conditions from any decent employer for highly qualified staff. I have worked outside of the company and received many of the said benefits plus more than we currently do.
It is good but not the best by a long shot, the one very redeeming feature it has is the pension, if that goes then it doesn't start to look anything like as pretty.
It may have some good points but you would expect these working conditions from any decent employer for highly qualified staff. I have worked outside of the company and received many of the said benefits plus more than we currently do.
It is good but not the best by a long shot, the one very redeeming feature it has is the pension, if that goes then it doesn't start to look anything like as pretty.
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A very interesting article - however, one of the things that struck me
So - how does that work?
"ALL employess have the opportunity for flexitime and home working" (my italics)