I wrote an article for NewsThump which was never accepted, so I'll post it here instead.

[M1nt-l0u 1,235]

Remembrance silences are costing the British economy MILLIONS of pounds a year

As austerity is in full swing, new ways of saving money have been brainstormed by the cabinet this week. Philip Hammond has predicted that each minute of silence costs the UK economy £6,600,000. (calculated using recent employment rate and average salary figures).

Theresa May welcomes the idea, “Our nation has every other minute of the day to remember the fallen, why sacrifice a whole minute of the working day when we can contribute these savings to a stronger economy”

“This is a major financial breakthrough for small business who simply cannot afford to pay Jeremy Corbyn’s proposed ten pound an hour salary”

David Forsey – Sports Direct CEO says, “This is really brilliant, combined with our flexible zero-hour contracts, this will allow us to employ a new management team to ensure that people arrive on time to our facilities so that we can utilise every minute that WE pay for”

The plans are set to be written into law later this year as a measure to improve the efficiency of our current workforce. 

“I think that the changes will be welcomed positively by anyone who understands the volatility of our economic time” says Boris Johnson, adding that “Our patriotism as a nation should be loud and obtrusive rather than a deplorable silence”

[Jak 1,381]

*based on an ideological concept first devised by Jak.

[ZakTEF 37]

How was that figure calculated? Not meaning to sound rude, I am genuinely interested. Also a minute silence is respect, nothing more, nothing less. So the money that is lost, is lost due to some tragedy usually, not because people aren't feeling like working.

Well then again, why would the people you have quoted care about those affected by such things? They're sat in their ivory towers looking down on people as their wealth grows from the working person. 

Although their wealth means they're better than everyone else!!!

Also your article probably got declined as it is a weakly driven point with no real conclusion. Moreover it's only 3 lines long... The rest are quotes. 

[Sniffles 175]

1 hour ago, ZakTEF said:

How was that figure calculated? Not meaning to sound rude, I am genuinely interested. Also a minute silence is respect, nothing more, nothing less. So the money that is lost, is lost due to some tragedy usually, not because people aren't feeling like working.

Well then again, why would the people you have quoted care about those affected by such things? They're sat in their ivory towers looking down on people as their wealth grows from the working person. 

Although their wealth means they're better than everyone else!!!

Also your article probably got declined as it is a weakly driven point with no real conclusion. Moreover it's only 3 lines long... The rest are quotes. 

Do you have any evidence to support your argument that wealthy people believe they're better than everyone else or are you making that assumption about them because of the stigma that surrounds the 1%?

[ZakTEF 37]

11 minutes ago, Sniffles said:

Do you have any evidence to support your argument that wealthy people believe they're better than everyone else or are you making that assumption about them because of the stigma that surrounds the 1%?

The quote clearly shows the CEO of Sports direct, saying that zero hour contracts are a good thing. They exploit people and give them no foothold in life as they can never guarantee things as they have no steady constant income. Meaning they're forced to have a rubbish quality of life and standard of living never being able to have luxurious things that people have and take for granted.

Call it a stigma, all you want, anyone who have ever come within contact of anyone like that. Know I'm correct. 

Edited July 3, 2017 by ZakTEF

[Jak 1,381]

I almost want to step in here to quell this arguing, but the clear lack of source checking is making it far too spicy and funny to do so. Please, do carry on Zak.

[Sniffles 175]

23 minutes ago, ZakTEF said:

The quote clearly shows the CEO of Sports direct, saying that zero hour contracts are a good thing. They exploit people and give them no foothold in life as they can never guarantee things as they have no steady constant income. Meaning they're forced to have a rubbish quality of life and standard of living never being able to have luxurious things that people have and take for granted.

Call it a stigma, all you want, anyone who have ever come within contact of anyone like that. Know I'm correct. 

GIVE ME EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM OR SOURCE WHERE YOU'VE GAINED THIS KNOWLEDGE FROM. 

[ZakTEF 37]

"For those whose only source of revenue is a zero-hours contract, the disadvantages can be huge; no job security, irregular income, lack of full employment rights, antisocial hours, difficulties with childcare or similar arrangements.

A study by the conciliation service ACAS reveals a rise in insecurity and mistrust among workers tied to such contracts, with many too afraid to look for new work elsewhere for fear of losing the job they have.

Many employers are writing exclusivity clauses into zero-hours contracts, effectively restricting the earning potential of the workforce which cannot be helpful for the economy overall.

Others are keeping a significant percentage of their workforce underemployed (less than30 hours), preferring to pay more people less rather than offering full employment terms.

The ACAS study also revealed a lack of transparency in contractual arrangements with many workers unaware that they were on a zero-hours contract, believing they had a permanent contract due to their length of service.

While zero-hours contracts clearly offer flexibility which can be beneficial to employer and employee alike, the line between opportunity and exploitation is easily crossed. Exclusivity clauses in zero-hours contracts are exploitative, preventing individuals from accessing the job market fully. Good companies recognise the benefits of treating their workforce well. A bolder, more proactive stance from government to rule out exploitative terms and conditions for UK workers would be welcomed."

http://www.goodcorporation.com/goodblog/zero-hours-contracts-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

http://www.money.co.uk/guides/zero-hour-contracts-the-pros-and-cons.htm

No fixed income - With no set hours to work, the amount you earn will vary week to week, so while you might have lots of work one week you might find yourself with much less the next.

In this situation, it's possible to find financial help through benefits. To find out what benefits you are entitled to just visit the GOV.UK website.

Feeling undervalued - Working in a zero hour contract means that you'll miss out on benefits that full time or permanent employees will get as standard, such as a pension and redundancy rights.

This can leave you feeling undervalued, especially if you are working to the same level as those with extra company benefits.

Constantly on-call - Not knowing when you'll work can make you feel restricted, especially if you are balancing more than one job, or if you have other responsibilities such as picking the kids up from school.

While you won't work set hours while on a zero hour contract you can still explain to your employer when you can and can't work will allow you the peace of mind to know that any hours offered to you will fall on a schedule that will suit you more often than not.

Damaging to your social life - If you don't want to miss out on work from your employer, you may find yourself waiting at home and turning down your normal social activities.

Plus, if you don't have the income to support an active social life, then this can seem understandable, but don't restrict yourself so much that you forget what you're working for.

Struggle with bills - Zero hour contracts don't offer you a stable cash flow which means you may find yourself struggling to keep up with the ever increasing cost of your household bills.

 

Edited July 3, 2017 by ZakTEF

[Wist 376]

2 hours ago, ZakTEF said:

"For those whose only source of revenue is a zero-hours contract, the disadvantages can be huge; no job security, irregular income, lack of full employment rights, antisocial hours, difficulties with childcare or similar arrangements.

A study by the conciliation service ACAS reveals a rise in insecurity and mistrust among workers tied to such contracts, with many too afraid to look for new work elsewhere for fear of losing the job they have.

Many employers are writing exclusivity clauses into zero-hours contracts, effectively restricting the earning potential of the workforce which cannot be helpful for the economy overall.

Others are keeping a significant percentage of their workforce underemployed (less than30 hours), preferring to pay more people less rather than offering full employment terms.

The ACAS study also revealed a lack of transparency in contractual arrangements with many workers unaware that they were on a zero-hours contract, believing they had a permanent contract due to their length of service.

While zero-hours contracts clearly offer flexibility which can be beneficial to employer and employee alike, the line between opportunity and exploitation is easily crossed. Exclusivity clauses in zero-hours contracts are exploitative, preventing individuals from accessing the job market fully. Good companies recognise the benefits of treating their workforce well. A bolder, more proactive stance from government to rule out exploitative terms and conditions for UK workers would be welcomed."

http://www.goodcorporation.com/goodblog/zero-hours-contracts-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

http://www.money.co.uk/guides/zero-hour-contracts-the-pros-and-cons.htm

No fixed income - With no set hours to work, the amount you earn will vary week to week, so while you might have lots of work one week you might find yourself with much less the next.

In this situation, it's possible to find financial help through benefits. To find out what benefits you are entitled to just visit the GOV.UK website.

Feeling undervalued - Working in a zero hour contract means that you'll miss out on benefits that full time or permanent employees will get as standard, such as a pension and redundancy rights.

This can leave you feeling undervalued, especially if you are working to the same level as those with extra company benefits.

Constantly on-call - Not knowing when you'll work can make you feel restricted, especially if you are balancing more than one job, or if you have other responsibilities such as picking the kids up from school.

While you won't work set hours while on a zero hour contract you can still explain to your employer when you can and can't work will allow you the peace of mind to know that any hours offered to you will fall on a schedule that will suit you more often than not.

Damaging to your social life - If you don't want to miss out on work from your employer, you may find yourself waiting at home and turning down your normal social activities.

Plus, if you don't have the income to support an active social life, then this can seem understandable, but don't restrict yourself so much that you forget what you're working for.

Struggle with bills - Zero hour contracts don't offer you a stable cash flow which means you may find yourself struggling to keep up with the ever increasing cost of your household bills.

 

all this effort for a joke article, sucks to be you

[M1nt-l0u 1,235]

Zak, maybe visit NewsThump before writing an essay back to me...

[ZakTEF 37]

13 minutes ago, Mintlou said:

Zak, maybe visit NewsThump before writing an essay back to me...

How do you deactivate a forums account?

 

[Jak 1,381]

You have to post your password, but it's okay, it all comes out as stars. See:

Username: Jak
Password: **********

[Sniffles 175]

username Sniffles

Password ******

[M1nt-l0u 1,235]

Username: Mintlou

Password: ********

[Chus 265]

Username: ★ Chus

Password: chusisawesome