I don't think naming the top three out of sixty people is particularly contentious. It would be if they published a "wall of shame" league table with everybody and their performance listed on it. My former employer did that. A league table - not just names but people's photo's too, stuck up on a wall that everyone passed on one floor of the office.

Try them again - you might get a more sensible one second time round. Or, if you do self-assessment ring their helpline as I've always found them far more helpful. I had a quick look at this earlier and as far as financial contributions towards the cost are concerned the tax office allows for extra contributions towards the car cost of up to £5k pa to be taken into consideration. You should get your P11d soon. Once you have that you can go on the HMRC website and use the company car tax calculator tool to see how it pans out. I'd be surprised though if you can't get some tax back if you have to pay up that amount in the end. I'd persist with the tax office until you get a definitive answer on it.

If you make a financial contribution towards the cost of company car ie in a scenario where you pay extra per month for a higher spec vehicle as in M2000's case, then you pay less tax because the amount you contribute is taken into account. In M2000's case I think he was paying something like £150 extra a month for the car he wanted. This would have reduced the taxable benefit value for that car accordingly. Had he remained with that employer then this would have been the case for another two/three years or so until the end of the lease. Instead, he left the company. If he does have to pay this £4800 (or whatever it is) when it goes to court then then in effect he's had to pay several years worth of financial contributions towards that vehicle in one lump sum instead...but he's still contributed financially to it all the same? Hence it seems logical and fair that he should be able to offset this/claim back some tax by some means to account for this? Sorry - I don't know if I've explained that very well.

M2000 - did you ever speak to the tax office about it? I'm still thinking that, because when you pay towards the cost of the upgraded car as in your case, this has a positive effect on your tax bill. Assuming the worst and you are liable to pay this money to your ex employer then surely you should be able to offset it or some of it against your current year's total tax? If the tax office are vague or before contacting them (if you haven't) perhaps you could try posting on an accountancy forum?

A couple of my own former employers have had it written in their long term absence policy that they any holidays taken whilst off sick should be first agreed with them. I personally think its a rather high-handed thing to insist upon however I have known one of those ex employers to sack people over it. Best be safe rather than sorry and check it out with your employer is my advice. So long as your GP confirms you aren't fit for work but are fine to recouperate elsewhere then your employer can't object to it.

PS- Have you been paid your final notice pay and all monies owed to you upon your departure from the company?

Any overpaid amount should be reclaimed by an employer net of tax. Your employer is incorrect to state you can claim back the tax from HMRC- you cannot. HMRC Guidelines are that employers reclaim only the net amount of an overpayment. The tax office will confirm this if you call them though you won't find anything written down officially on their website about this. I would be advising your employer that to reclaim back the gross amount is in breach of HMRC Guidelines - your employer's payroll dept will know this. If this payment was purely an amount to cover a backdated pay rise then I can see no reason why your employer should state terms such as it has. The amount was a pay award, which presumably you were entitled to- and as simple as that surely. As for the reference threat - I think sight of that letter combined with a brief explanation that this is over a backdated pay rise from the previous year would signify to any prospective new employer that your last one is a vindictive, threatening pig and will treat any mention of this in your reference with the disdain it deserves. Speak to ACAS on Monday - particularly re the reference threat.

When others were saying it was your fault- was this before and/or after the manager was sacked, and were they repeatedly saying this to you over a length of time, and of so for how long? Without knowing more and generally speaking on the face of the info you've given so far - a complaint was made about a manager, the employer investigated, found the manager guilty and dismissed them. If events were as straightforward as THAT, then I can see no grounds for constructive dismissal there. Re the ex-manager's rants in the store - this was after they'd been dismissed yep? If the company had dismissed this person and this in-store rant was a one off occasion I can't see any grounds there either. Yes an employee has a duty to protect its employees (and from third parties too) blah blah.. but, trying to look at this as per how a tribunal looks at this then, unless there's a lot more to it than so far you've revealed, I can't (as yet) see you having any success with this. Re the grievance - your ex-employer should normally hold a grievance hearing within 28 days. The problem with this that you have is that I don't think the modified procedure now applies (procedure changed in April 2009) . I'd write to them again, thanking them for the acknowledgement, reminding them you are yet to hear further from them and should have done so within 28 days etc. Check with ACAS on Monday re the modified procedure. If I'm right I'd also probably state in the letter that, now aware this procedure is no longer applicable, you wish to attend a grievance meeting". If your ex-employer doesn't follow procedures it will only count if you were to win your case, in respect to any uplift of payment awarded. Other than that tribunals (annoyingly) seem to give them so long a piece of rope where this is concerned. Much can be deemed by a tribunal to be down to their being a bad employer, not necessarily an unlawfully acting one, and its the latter of the two they base a decision upon.

Depends on the terms of their corporate insurance policy but speaking from personal experience as a former company car driver it never hindered me. As soon as my ban was up I moved into a filed based role with a new employer and with a company car provided and to two further employers again too within five years (after five years the ban doesn't count as far as insurance goes). Weirdly, they only were ever concerned about the points on a licence - 6 points or under and you were fine. DD offences were never an obstacle. Of course the Royal Mail may be different. I mentioned mine at a first interview once - the interviewer wasn't sure like yours, said he'd check etc and I heard no more on the subject...and I did get the job.

Thanks very much. I really appreciate your help

On the "working lunch" side, a working lunch is classed as working time. If its occasional and means an earlier finish if you work through lunch then personally I'd put up with it. Otherwise it would hack me off too. Problem is, whether you want to risk alienating that boss/your employer by objecting. Its not right that this should be a consideration when exercising lawful rights but sadly it tends to be the case because of the sour grapes and backlash from complaining. Better if a group of you can take a stand than one person doing it alone but its many tend to put up with it and let someone else stand alone to take the flack. You'd be within your rights to complain about the "working lunches" however if you chose to.

Lol ok. No rush -its taken me over a year to stop just wondering about it and finally to get round to ask someone.

(Ad-aware and Spy Doc I have disabled) Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2 Scan saved at 23:33:14, on 18/04/2010 Platform: Windows Vista (WinNT 6.00.1904) MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16757) Boot mode: Normal Running processes: C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe C:\Program Files\HP\QuickPlay\QPService.exe C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons\QLBCTRL.exe C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\avp.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\ieuser.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Users\User\Documents\My Received Files\HijackThis.exe R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Bing R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = Google R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = Bing R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Bing R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll O2 - BHO: IEVkbdBHO - {59273AB4-E7D3-40F9-A1A8-6FA9CCA1862C} - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\ievkbd.dll O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\ssv.dll O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxTray] C:\Windows\system32\igfxtray.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QPService] "C:\Program Files\HP\QuickPlay\QPService.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QlbCtrl] %ProgramFiles%\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons\QlbCtrl.exe /Start O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Health Check Scheduler] C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Health Check\HPHC_Scheduler.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] "C:\Windows\system32\msconfig.exe" /auto O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVP] "C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\avp.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [intelliPoint] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\ipoint.exe" O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Banner Ad Blocker - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\ie_banner_deny.htm O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\ssv.dll O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\ssv.dll O9 - Extra button: Web traffic protection statistics - {1F460357-8A94-4D71-9CA3-AA4ACF32ED8E} - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\SCIEPlgn.dll O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - (no file) O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - (no file) O13 - Gopher Prefix: O15 - ESC Trusted Zone: http://*.update.microsoft.com O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{3BBF40A6-0204-4ACF-850F-23D65873C288}: NameServer = 212.139.132.23 212.139.132.22 O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1\mzvkbd3.dll,C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1\adialhk.dll,C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1\kloehk.dll O23 - Service: Ad-Aware 2007 Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft AB - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe O23 - Service: AddFiltr - Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons\AddFiltr.exe O23 - Service: Kaspersky Internet Security (AVP) - Kaspersky Lab - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\avp.exe O23 - Service: HP Health Check Service - Hewlett-Packard - C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Health Check\hphc_service.exe O23 - Service: hpqwmiex - Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\hpqwmiex.exe O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Roxio MyDVD Basic v9\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe O23 - Service: iolo FileInfoList Service (ioloFileInfoList) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iolo\common\lib\ioloServiceManager.exe (file missing) O23 - Service: iolo System Service (ioloSystemService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iolo\common\lib\ioloServiceManager.exe (file missing) O23 - Service: PC Tools Auxiliary Service (sdAuxService) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsAuxs.exe O23 - Service: PC Tools Security Service (sdCoreService) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsSvc.exe -- End of file - 5002 bytes And here's the start up logfile StartupList report, 18/04/2010, 23:36:48 StartupList version: 1.52.2 Started from : C:\Users\User\Documents\My Received Files\HijackThis.EXE Detected: Windows Vista (WinNT 6.00.1904) Detected: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16757) * Using default options * Showing rarely important sections ================================================== Running processes: C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe C:\Program Files\HP\QuickPlay\QPService.exe C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons\QLBCTRL.exe C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\avp.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\ieuser.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Users\User\Documents\My Received Files\HijackThis.exe -------------------------------------------------- Checking Windows NT UserInit: [HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon] UserInit = C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe, -------------------------------------------------- Autorun entries from Registry: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run IgfxTray = C:\Windows\system32\igfxtray.exe QPService = "C:\Program Files\HP\QuickPlay\QPService.exe" HP Health Check Scheduler = C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Health Check\HPHC_Scheduler.exe MSConfig = "C:\Windows\system32\msconfig.exe" /auto AVP = "C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\avp.exe" IntelliPoint = "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\ipoint.exe" -------------------------------------------------- File association entry for .HTA: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htafile\shell\open\command (Default) = NOTEPAD.EXE %1 -------------------------------------------------- Enumerating Active Setup stub paths: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components (* = disabled by HKCU twin) [>{22d6f312-b0f6-11d0-94ab-0080c74c7e95}] StubPath = C:\Windows\system32\unregmp2.exe /ShowWMP [>{26923b43-4d38-484f-9b9e-de460746276c}] * StubPath = C:\Windows\system32\ie4uinit.exe -UserIconConfig [{2C7339CF-2B09-4501-B3F3-F3508C9228ED}] * StubPath = %SystemRoot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /s /n /i:/UserInstall %SystemRoot%\system32\themeui.dll [{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}] * StubPath = "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Mail\WinMail.exe" OCInstallUserConfigOE [{6BF52A52-394A-11d3-B153-00C04F79FAA6}] * StubPath = %SystemRoot%\system32\unregmp2.exe /FirstLogon /Shortcuts /RegBrowsers /ResetMUI [{89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4340}] * StubPath = regsvr32.exe /s /n /i:U shell32.dll [{89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383}] * StubPath = C:\Windows\system32\ie4uinit.exe -BaseSettings [{89B4C1CD-B018-4511-B0A1-5476DBF70820}] * StubPath = C:\Windows\system32\Rundll32.exe C:\Windows\system32\mscories.dll,Install -------------------------------------------------- Load/Run keys from C:\Windows\WIN.INI: load=*INI section not found* run=*INI section not found* Load/Run keys from Registry: HKLM\..\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon: load=*Registry value not found* HKLM\..\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon: run=*Registry value not found* HKLM\..\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinLogon: load=*Registry key not found* HKLM\..\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinLogon: run=*Registry key not found* HKCU\..\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon: load=*Registry value not found* HKCU\..\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon: run=*Registry value not found* HKCU\..\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinLogon: load=*Registry key not found* HKCU\..\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinLogon: run=*Registry key not found* HKCU\..\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows: load= HKCU\..\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows: run=*Registry value not found* HKLM\..\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows: load=*Registry value not found* HKLM\..\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows: run=*Registry value not found* HKLM\..\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows: AppInit_DLLs=C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1\mzvkbd3.dll,C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1\adialhk.dll,C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1\kloehk.dll -------------------------------------------------- Shell & screensaver key from C:\Windows\SYSTEM.INI: Shell=*INI section not found* SCRNSAVE.EXE=*INI section not found* drivers=*INI section not found* Shell & screensaver key from Registry: Shell=explorer.exe SCRNSAVE.EXE=C:\Windows\system32\logon.scr drivers=*Registry value not found* Policies Shell key: HKCU\..\Policies: Shell=*Registry key not found* HKLM\..\Policies: Shell=*Registry value not found* -------------------------------------------------- Checking for EXPLORER.EXE instances: C:\Windows\Explorer.exe: PRESENT! C:\Explorer.exe: not present C:\Windows\Explorer\Explorer.exe: not present C:\Windows\System\Explorer.exe: not present C:\Windows\System32\Explorer.exe: not present C:\Windows\Command\Explorer.exe: not present C:\Windows\Fonts\Explorer.exe: not present -------------------------------------------------- Checking for superhidden extensions: .lnk: HIDDEN! (arrow overlay: yes) .pif: HIDDEN! (arrow overlay: yes) .exe: not hidden .com: not hidden .bat: not hidden .hta: not hidden .scr: not hidden .shs: *Registry key not found* .shb: *Registry key not found* .vbs: not hidden .vbe: not hidden .wsh: not hidden .scf: HIDDEN! (arrow overlay: NO!) .url: HIDDEN! (arrow overlay: yes) .js: not hidden .jse: not hidden -------------------------------------------------- Verifying REGEDIT.EXE integrity: - Regedit.exe found in C:\Windows - .reg open command is normal (regedit.exe %1) - Company name OK: 'Microsoft Corporation' - Original filename NOT OK: 'REGEDIT.EXE.MUI' - File description: 'Registry Editor' Registry check failed! -------------------------------------------------- Enumerating Browser Helper Objects: (no name) - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} IEVkbdBHO - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\ievkbd.dll - {59273AB4-E7D3-40F9-A1A8-6FA9CCA1862C} (no name) - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\ssv.dll - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} (no name) - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} -------------------------------------------------- Enumerating Download Program Files: [{8FFBE65D-2C9C-4669-84BD-5829DC0B603C}] CODEBASE = http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/ultrashim.cab -------------------------------------------------- Enumerating Winsock LSP files: NameSpace #1: C:\Windows\system32\NLAapi.dll NameSpace #4: C:\Windows\system32\napinsp.dll NameSpace #5: C:\Windows\system32\pnrpnsp.dll NameSpace #6: C:\Windows\system32\pnrpnsp.dll -------------------------------------------------- Enumerating Windows NT/2000/XP services General Purpose USB Driver (adildr.sys): System32\Drivers\adildr.sys (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\system32\audiosrv.dll,-204: %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\system32\audiosrv.dll,-200: %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted (autostart) Kaspersky Internet Security: "C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 2009\avp.exe" -r (autostart) Base Filtering Engine: %systemroot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetwork (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\system32\qmgr.dll,-1000: %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs (autostart) @oleres.dll,-5012: %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\system32\dhcpcsvc.dll,-100: %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted (autostart) ReadyBoost: %systemroot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted (autostart) @gpapi.dll,-112: %systemroot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs (autostart) @comres.dll,-2946: %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k NetworkService (autostart) @%systemroot%\system32\wkssvc.dll,-100: %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalService (autostart) Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper I/O Driver: system32\DRIVERS\lltdio.sys (autostart) UAC File Virtualization: \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\luafv.sys (autostart) mdmxsdk: system32\DRIVERS\mdmxsdk.sys (autostart) Multimedia Class Scheduler: %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs (autostart) Parvdm: \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\parvdm.sys (autostart) PEAUTH: system32\drivers\peauth.sys (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\system32\umpnpmgr.dll,-100: %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch (autostart) @%systemroot%\system32\profsvc.dll,-300: %systemroot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs (autostart) @oleres.dll,-5010: %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k rpcss (autostart) Link-Layer Topology Discovery Responder: system32\DRIVERS\rspndr.sys (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1: %SystemRoot%\system32\lsass.exe (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\system32\schedsvc.dll,-100: %systemroot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\system32\Sens.dll,-200: %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs (autostart) Software Licensing: %SystemRoot%\system32\SLsvc.exe (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\system32\sysmain.dll,-1000: %systemroot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted (autostart) TCP/IP Registry Compatibility: System32\drivers\tcpipreg.sys (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\System32\shsvcs.dll,-8192: %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\system32\w32time.dll,-200: %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService (autostart) @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmisvc.dll,-205: %systemroot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs (autostart) @%SystemRoot%\System32\wscsvc.dll,-200: %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted (autostart) XAudio: system32\DRIVERS\xaudio.sys (autostart) -------------------------------------------------- Enumerating Windows NT logon/logoff scripts: *No scripts set to run* Windows NT checkdisk command: BootExecute = autocheck autochk * Windows NT 'Wininit.ini': PendingFileRenameOperations: C:\Users\User\Desktop\TEMPOR~1\Content.IE5\index.dat||C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\MICROS~1\Windows\Cookies\index.dat||C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\MICROS~1\Windows\Cookies\Low\index.dat||C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\MICROS~1\Windows\History\History.IE5\desktop.ini||C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\MICROS~1\Windows\History\History.IE5\index.dat||C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\MICROS~1\Windows\History\Low\History.IE5\desktop.ini||C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\Update.exe.old||C:\Users\User\Desktop\TEMPOR~1\Low\Content.IE5\index.dat||C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\MICROS~1\Windows\History\Low\History.IE5\index.dat -------------------------------------------------- Enumerating ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad items: WebCheck: C:\Windows\system32\webcheck.dll -------------------------------------------------- End of report, 11,795 bytes

I've got HJT. Do I post a start-up log list, or do a system scan and post that logfile? PS - in advance of that - there are a few (uninstalled old programs etc) things showing on it I've tried to fix, but I think Kaspersky overrides it because they don't get fixed.

Thanks...and is it? Is this the correct path for it too then? C:\Program Files\HP\QuickPlay\Koan (there are a few dozen files under that, then it has two separate sub folders - the koan and python zip files.)

PS- the first couple of times I noticed the explorer.exe/CPU issue it coincided with someone hacking in to my hotmail account. A day or so afterwards I found that out when I checked my hotmail "sent" folder and found dozens of emails had been sent from my account (all ebay related) each time. The next time it happened (explorer.exe/CPU surge) I immediately cut my BB connection and sure enough, more emails in my sent folder. I changed my password then and it never happened again after that. Obviously in some way I'd been compromised. With that coinciding with the only times those python/koan temp files showed up anywhere too is why I'm thinking the hack and those files are related.

Thanks both, for your replies. I have Kaspersky (firewall and anti virus). It says these files are fine. I did a Kaspersky online scan too, and others, and ditto. I've uploaded them on both Jotti and Virustotal - again, clean on both. The few times CPU went threw the roof (down to explorer.exe) a while back was when I was alerted to these apps when I saw the names psyco, python and koan appearing in the list of temp files to delete when I ran CCleaner soon after. If they definitely don't come as standard on Windows Vista then I'll delete them or try to. Locutus- I don't think these apps have anything to do with HP Quickplay- they just happen to be sitting in that folder. :-|

I've Googled this to death on and off and can't find an answer so wondering if anyone here might have a clue who can help. I use Windows Vista on my personal laptop - its the home edition and I do nothing fancy with it ie just use it like the average home user for browsing/email and the likes. I've noticed some folders that I ain't happy about at all. I don't DO any programming (God forbid!) and can see no valid/legitimate reason for these apps to be even on this laptop. Does anyone know whether I can delete them? Am I right that these shouldn't be on my laptop? I had some strange happenings on my laptop a while back - CPU going up the roof and explorer.exe related. I think someone was remotely accessing/hacking into my PC when it happened and I have a suspicion these apps are related to that because there was related activity (these apps showed up then in my temp folders) Anyway, these files are all in - program files/HP/Quickplay/ And there are 23MB's worth of them all together. The two concerned are- python24.zip koan_3.0.zip (loads of others inside those two zip folders) Some others lurking within the zip files for those two above- touchstone.exe (touchstone_1_.exe) python24.dll has_key.pyc tvupdater.kc CLTinyDB.dll I've done numerous virus scans including online ones and online file checker (Jotti etc) and all of these come up clean. These seem to be duplicated inside a hidden temp internet files folder too. The properties for that show there are numerous files inside it but when I open the folder it opens up showing none. Any advice anyone?

Renzokuken, anyone at that company reading your post or alerted to it might be able to identify you from it. I'd err on the side of extreme caution and edit it if I were you. Better safe than sorry

I can't help but agree. When you come on asking for advice, from people who give such advice and their time on here for no other reason but from kindness and a willingness to try to assist, don't expect to get it from anyone when you combine that request with such obvious aggression.

I don't envy you your situation The same person can conduct the second meeting - its a continuation of the first meeting for the verdict I think. However it should ideally be a different person to conduct the appeal hearing. ACAS website would be your best bet first of all, its going to be bang up to date in respect to rules and procedures.

It might be good value....but its only available if you're jobless or a pensioner. Am I eligable for BT Basic? - BT's Inclusive Communications Website You can usually get BT Basic if you are claiming one of the benefits below: Income Support Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance Employment Support Allowance (Income related) or Pensions Credit (Guaranteed Credit)

That Panasonic system is designed to work on analogue exchange lines (its a hybrid- works on analogue and digital/ISDN lines), but what is missing from the list of what they have invoiced you for is any reference to the extension sockets/wiring you would need in order to use those four system phones. Was there any discussion at the time you agreed to this deal initially as to whether they said they would also install the system for you once it was delivered? The cost for the total kit you listed would only have amounted to about a quarter of the £4k they're chasing you for too. This call package you were signing up for - I presume this deal was put to you on the lines of "switch your landline calls to us for xx time and in return (so long as you don't switch your calls to anyone else) we'll give you this system for free? What happened in respect to this side of it then? Were you at the time using only BT for your phone calls? Or another provider? And did you ever actually switch your calls to these people or not? If you still have all of the original paperwork in respect this that can be scanned (anything you did sign, any quote you got given/letters explaining the deal/predicted call savings/call tariff info - the lot, would be useful to have sight of.

God, what a pigs ear they're making of it. Its (almost) shocking. Normally you only get the one disciplinary meeting. I can only think that they had the investigation meeting then the disciplinary meeting they held the following day was actually the one and only disciplinary meeting...and this second disciplinary meeting is in fact a meeting to deliver the outcome/their verdict? I've just re-read what you wrote. The "first" disciplinary was your actual disciplinary meeting. They've then told you their decision -that you were "guilty", then left you to stew a while, hoping obviously that you'd panic and resign for the reference etc. Had you done that, the director can safely blame any leak entirely on you now you're out the way, AND, will have thought you'd be too worried about your reference from them to rock the boat by breathing a word about what happened once you'd gone. Thats what they're obviously up to here I think. This next meeting I think is just a follow on to the disciplinary where they'll tell you what your "punishment" is. I think you might come out of that with just a warning you know. I don't think they'll dare dismiss you in the circumstances - they're obviously terrified this deal falls through because of any leak. If they sack you they've no way of controlling that (or you) have they. I think they could well have another go with the old "resign or else" lark with you again in there first though. When that fails again I think you'll get a warning. Best to expect the worst just incase, but I think that's what'll happen. Have you asked them for the notes? If you have, remind them again(in writing). If you haven't, ask. I'd still say be clued up, but don't reveal to them yet that you're clued up. You don't want them on their guard-you want them to slip up and as much as possible, but when they do you'll more easily recognise that they have and will know to note it, or to nudge your note taker to note it. If they do sack you I think you could have a bit of fun with them that way at the appeal hearing, but I don't think it'll get to that point. They won't dare sack you without having the threat of a possible bad reference hanging over you afterwards to keep you quiet.

You're most welcome-I know only too well what its like to go through something like this, especially when you can't quite trust people involved at work, family will only listen to your rants about it for so long, paranoia kicks in etc and it can be a lonely long journey do deal with on your own with few to talk about it with. It boils my blood that managers like that get away with treating people like that, or even that they want to and do treat people like that at all. (any chance that your manager's "sick absence" is a cover for the fact the company has suspended them instead by the way? Good practice would be to remove/suspend the bully not the victim ..which is why I'm wondering) If you're happy and they're happy to have meetings at your home I don't see why they can't be at your home. Are you receiving full pay whilst on sick leave or not?