West Somerset Railway General Discussion

"Must not directly refer to....the Company" The words between do not qualify this instruction. It doesn't matter if it was changed recently or not, that's a ridiculous restriction to place on staff (paid or not) using their own equipment in their own time. Even restricting reference of any kind to staff directors etc, is pushing the envelope of sensible censorship.

 

And it is precisely wording that is so troubling Ian, irrespective of whether it's been revised recently or is long-standing.

I can't shake the mental picture I have of this timeless scene from Life of Brian:



Just change "Jehovah" to "West Somerset Railway", and that is how this policy comes across.

FIREMAN: Look. I'd had a lovely day firing Raveningham Hall, and all I posted to my Facebook profile was 'That day out on 6960 was the best I've ever had on the West Somerset Railway.'

etc.

 

Correction, it addresses a director, it does not 'refer' to a director and it certainly does not intend to 'demean'.

Robin, let us all share a 2018 resolution, "away with pointscoring" : let's channel whatever intellect the Lord granted us to support our wonderful Railway

Michael Rowe

 

And there is a whole wealth of fun to be had to decide what ‘demean’ means, especially if interpreted by folks who can enact such a policy.

I have provided, I believe, a sensible version of the policy a page or two above. Pleased to have constructive comments on that. A pity no apparent thought was applied to the (still in effect) present policy before implementation, whichever Railway it is that is affected.

Robin

 

I don't volunteer on the WSR, but if I did, I would hold exactly the same view as you do.
It is actually a set of rules guaranteed to produce a negative outcome. Regardless of who thought of and worded these rules, the board collectively must have approved them, so is it any wonder people question their actions??
Robin L.

 

I know. I was phoned last night while I was doing my wrapping and advised of the problem with the wording. I immediately understood the problem and agreed to get it reviewed. I asked the HR dept to look at it. I thought problem over and then today a very unnecessary feeding frenzy has been created. The plc position can be summarised as:
1. The wording about "refering to the company" is not new but has been in existence for a number of years.
2. We will be reviewing it in the light of comments received. This will take time - especially over christmas.
3. We now need to move on
4. People will not be in trouble for making positive and supportive comments about the railway.
5. Have a great Christmas!

Ian Coleby

 

Cancelled. Covered by post 9986.

 

Without wanting to underplay what may well be very valid concerns about the wording of the updated social media policy, could the person who originally brought this to our attention (who I believe to be an existing and long-standing volunteer with the WSR) confirm whether or not they had previously sought clarification, privately, from the relevant company officers or board members responsible for the update?

And did they allow some time for the company to reflect upon and address the concerns in a proper manner (considering the time of year).

Or did they decide to go straight down the route of articulating their concerns via this public forum only?

If the latter route was chosen may I also ask whether on reflection the person responsible considers this to have been an example of professional and fair behavior toward the company for which they volunteer?

 

Thank you Ian. All noted. I strongly recommend that the WSR board take a close look at the changes Robin has suggested. She is an expert in the field who gives very freely of her time to the Railway. We all want the WSR to be a success so please don’t think what has been said on here was “a feeding frenzy”. Far from it as the views expressed have been very sincere.

 

This whole thing seems to me to have been yet another example (after that of another railway not too far away) of an organization of volunteers going about things the wrong way - the way a normal business might have. You're not a normal business, you have to stop thinking and acting like one!

Someone notices a problem with a policy, and people decide it needs to be changed/improved. Fine so far. The next step needs to be 'explore what the changes might be', and then comes the really crucial one; 'touching base' with the volunteers to explain the problem, and indicate what the answer seems to be, and see what their take is. (I know, I know, many of the people making the decision were/are volunteers too, but that doesn't mean their perceptions will match those on the 'outside'.) Or perhaps a wider set of eyes will notice an issue a smaller set missed.

Either way, to make the change and then formally roll it out, without checking first, is just asking for trouble, sooner or later. Well, later is here.

Having said that, a good recovery. Hopefully this will be solved to everyone's satisfaction quickly.

Noel

 

Just to clarify matters I brought the matter up because I understood that behind the scenes efforts had failed. Also as a non volunteer, due to ill health, I am not subject to disciplinary action for doing so. Although he was not the source I suggest you read Andy Norman’s comments that make it clear why. Without naming names one or two senior WSR employees need to improve their listening skills. I hope that the new Chairman and vice Chairman can a serious grip on the problems that face the company. We don’t want a fiasco.

 

see post #9986

 

Isn't a fiasco exactly what you have caused, by spreading internal matters into the public arena like this? This is, ironically, exactly the reason why social media policies exist: because this sort of public argument is inevitably damaging to the railway's reputation. I've already seen posts on Facebook mentioning the WSR - sorry, "a railway that cannot be named" - in the same breath as the secret police of totalitarian states. With friends and volunteers like these, who needs enemies?

Given what Mr Coleby said above about the amount of change which has occurred, I'm going to reach for my sou'wester the next time I hear someone in Somerset has got their teacups out.

 

Thatchers? At 20 past nine in the morn? Drinking alone on unlicensed premises?! Joking aside Robin all the best to you and the residents of Stogumber station house. Have fun.

 

I have just read about this fiasco. It starts some time ago when Robin was threatened, in the most clandestine way, with disciplinary action and concludes with some half baked issued amendment that shows the railway up for what it really is; a very small collection of incompetent managers in some posts.
Ian needs to carry out a root and branch investigation, after Christmas, and ensure heads will roll.
As a retired Director I don't give a bugger if they discipline me as they carry no weight as I am a VOLUNTEER.
Simply share holders now must grab hold of this company and shake out the dead wood.
I call for all share holders to start writing and emailing the company Chairman listing their discontent in this draconian policy that says more about the company's lack of empathy for its staff then any staff ever say on social media. Why oh why cannot these disgruntled ego massaging people see what damage they are doing?
Ken Davidge
Founder Member Number 13
Ex WSRA Trustee
Retired PLC Director
Shareholder

 

No! I have exposed a situation that, as far as I understood, attempts to solve behind the scenes had not worked. These go back some months. See Faol’s post for details. Hopefully the message has now got through. If you read what I said about the STASI I made it very clear that I was referring to the way they caused division and nothing else. The point being that division is the last thing we need. I believe that new rules were very divisive but that they will now be amended.

 

I’m afraid my earlier comment about the local water feels more apposite than ever.

I don’t particularly care whether this is a proxy battle between a small number of individuals, or suggestive of something being rotten in the state of Denmark, but find it hard to believe (a) that such pettiness should arise - again - or that the fix should only be possible - again - through the use of external social media.

Seasons greetings to all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I suggest that any further posting here or on FB re SM policies is unnecessary & perhaps counter productive now. The PLC Chairman has stated that the policy is to be reviewed so its time to give space to do just that. The ongoing sound of distant axe grinding is frankly unhelpful.

Personally I'm very much looking forward to playing my small part in the WSR Winter Steam Festival on December 29th. A day on what I consider to be one of the UK's best heritage railways and one which I pass several others to be able to volunteer on. Whilst the WSR may not lead in all respects it has arguably the best heritage railway route in the country. The rest is capable of being solved!

 

It goes far further than the current arguments. I suggest you read post #9995 that sets it out well. There is no connection with the past WSRA problems.

 

Should I be anticipating an Ops Notice amendment to confirm the QB is now operating as a two-coach stand-alone train during Winter Steam Festival?

http://cgibin.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/snap.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2017/12/141

Are they your fingerprints on my headboard Snifter?

I never got to experience the QB being hauled by either Victor or Vulcan, although still hope to one day. 1219 could be good fun in the meantime.

Barrie