Ministry of Latecomers
As a form of protest I can’t see it working but then again I’m not French. The idea is that as a protest against the raising of the retirement age in France workers should get back the time taken from their retirement by coming in late to work. The protest group going by the satirical title of The Ministry of Latecomers has posted on it’s website a calculator so employees can work out how late to be based on how long they have to go before they retire. It is as one of the protest groups leaders say an absurd idea but it is intended as a symbolic gesture in the fight to keep the country’s celebrated work/ life balance. I wonder how long an organisation would tolerate persistent lateness before taking disciplinary action? I can’t imagine managers would consider a symbolic protest against the raising of the retirement age as a legitimate reason for being late. However the Ministry of Latecomers has got the publicity it was seeking. Before we dismiss the whole thing as an example of the French love of the absurd there is a real issue that applies equally to employees in the UK. Whilst progressive organisations are tell us they are treating the mental wellbeing of their employees seriously and are conscious of the need to achieve a better work life balance our Government is also increasing the age of retirement! Blair McPherson former director author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk
