There are times when that may be the case, however I think in most instances it is preferable for the employee to be as open with their employer as they can be so that the company can support them e.g. stress. I can't think of too many situations where this wouldn't be beneficial and I've dealt with all sorts including cancer and HIV.

With regards to reports the employee can see reports before they go back to the company, however a company can only make its decisions based upon the information it is given. If an employee doesn't disclose something then how can the company make allowances for it and support them?

Unfortunately not all companies are like this but even belligerent mangers can settle into a supportive role if they are coached correctly themselves.

People being singed off on long term sick is clearly a serious and mounting problem

Hang on – you mean that it fell during Labour's time in office?

That can't possibly be correct.

I put it down to fire precautions getting better.

Yes, because although the absolute numbers went up the percentage went down because Labour allowed the country to be swamped by immigrants!

I heard yesterday, on the telly (so it must be right!) the comment that the immigration regulations were loosened some years before 1997.

Does anyone remember that?

I see we had a spike in 2009, sorry about that, I was poorly.

Between the 1991 census and the 2001 census, the percentage of the UK population born overseas rose by around 1 percentage point, from 7% to 8%. Unless you're suggesting there was a significant fall between 1991 and 1997, that's hardly indicative of a huge spike in immigration under the first four years of the Labour government.

The total population has only gone up by about half a million in that time.

As well as your answer, may we have your workings-out please?

In point of fact, the absolute numbers went down by 347,130 between 1997 and 2010, as well as a percentage decline.

So that pretty much exposes Dally (and his agenda). No doubt he'll now claim it was some sort of joke.