Make a switch to a lighter job

Aug 9 2005 By Evening Gazette

We've all heard the jokes asking how many men, women, or whatever does it take to change a light bulb?

Well, the latest doing the rounds is a slight variation on that theme.

And that is how many energy conservation officers does it take to switch off lights?

The answer, apparently, is one if you are Staffordshire County Council.

And what makes this a very bad joke is that, according to national press reports, the postholder's wage will be a staggering £30,000 a year.

It was said that the duties will comprise turning off lights and computers at the council's offices at the end of each day.

The job has been created in response to rising energy bills and concerns over waste.

The council is said to face a £1m rise in utility bills over the next three years.

A spokesman is reported as saying that the post will pay for itself.

I hope there's more to this job than meets the eye.

Otherwise it seems like an over-inflated salary for very little work and the sort of thing an existing member of staff would be able to fit in easily around their other responsibilities.

After all, I thought multi-tasking was the fashion these days.

So, folks - all form an orderly queue behind me to apply for this not particularly onerous-sounding job.

It could be a case of nice work if you can get it - and certainly at that level of pay for that amount of work.

But, on second thoughts, I won't bother as I like a job that keeps me busy.