Perhaps you should see your GP, just to be on the safe side?

Yes, the giraffe is great!

retro

Don't get mixed up with any dodgy 'protesters'. When I was a child I went with my Mum to visit a cousin who had a holiday job waiting at a hotel i.e. we were NOTHING to do with the hunt which, by chance, was meeting in the grounds of the hotel. On the way in to the hotel a protester threw a lit firework into the open window of our car, really scary (I was 12). The same bunch of protesters were later sticking drawing pins under the horses saddles. I remember being really confused (and still am today) wondering why someone who was there to protest against cruelty to foxes would then stick pins in a horse?

Take care Wickid! All the best.

waning

Doh!

I know that there is safety in numbers, but surely the softly softly approach is always worth trying first? If something can be sorted out by someone having a quiet word with the person concerned then that's far better (for everyone) than having to drag it through the offical process. Obviously, sometimes you have to do things by the book but it's surely always worth trying to resolve things amicably in the first instance?

BTW, I agree with H in so far that you should talk to the Post-doc first before approaching anyone else. However, I think a one on one approach is better in the first instance. If a whole gang of you trap her in an office and start ranting at her, then that's going to be very intimidating for her. If she complains to her boss then the sympathy will lie with her even if you do have genuine cause for complaint.

Stu, I can't believe that you suggest that staging a walk-out is childish and then go to suggest that they start making personal and offensive comments to the Post-doc???!!!!! Frankly, I think that that would be the worst thing they could possibly do and could land them all in very hot water.

I agree with H, the first thing that you should do is to speak to the Post-doc in private and on your own. Calmly explain how you are feeling, stick to the facts and try not to be confrontational. She may be completely oblivious about the effect she is having. This may be all the action you need to take. If it doesn't work then I suggest you approach your supervisor again. In all cases, keep the arguement professional and stick to the facts.

Aww, thanks Sue and Kc. The thing is, my boyfriend is really good at DIY and it's just taken so long cos he's done so many big projects (loft conversion, ground floor extension, porch to name but a few!). and he only has weekends and evenings to do them. He'd be very offended if I wrote to DIY SOS, although he'd probably like to meet the team, it's one of his favourite programmes! ;o)

It's hard at the moment 'cos the kitchen and bathroom are being knocked about - I get distressed when things interfere with my ability to have regular cups of coffee and/or hot baths!! ;o)

Kc, I so know how you feel! My boyfriend is a compulsive DIYer. It's so hard coming home and not being able to chill out or even to be able to carry on working because of all the chaos! I suppose it will be worth it when it's all done (but it's been going on for 9 years!!!!)

NB by 'posts' I mean job vacancies, not message posts!

Stu, comparing this site (FindAPhD & Postgrad forum) with jobs.ac.uk is comparing apples with oranges! Jobs.ac.uk is far more generalised and so obviously has many more posts.

I like the giraffe advert here too... ;o)

Jimmy Hill