Expensive Mistakescoopsweb asks "What's the most expensive mistake you've ever made? Should I mention a certain employee who caused 4 hours worth of delays in Central London and got his company fined £500k?"
No points for stories about the time you had a few and thought it'd be a good idea to wrap your car around a bollard. Or replies consisting of "my wife".
(
chthonic, Thu 25 Oct 2007, 11:26)
« Go Back
wooI'm afraid I haven't ever brought the global economy to its knees with a mis-placed line of code, nor have I ever cost my company millions of pounds by being a dick. However, I have two tales - one is from my personal wellspring of bitterness, the other isn't mine.
My personal mistake -- becoming a barrister. I have accumulated massive debt, and my hourly rate for my first month is a massive £8.36 net.
Not my personal mistake -- failing to ask one simple question of the prosecution, a question that should always be asked, outside court on the day of trial, that would have resulted in no evidence being offered, and Mr Defendant walking free.
Length? About 18 months, poor sod. It was definitely justice, but still...
EDIT: actually, on further reflection and reading, I'm just grateful I'm not an engineer -- sky's the limit for you lot and your cock-ups, as this qotw attests.
(, Tue 30 Oct 2007, 7:51, 3 replies)
don't just leave us hangingwhat is that question?
(, Tue 30 Oct 2007, 9:13, closed)
For £8.36I'm kind of glad I'm an engineer and not a barrister.
(, Tue 30 Oct 2007, 10:12, closed)
questionHe should have asked - are you ready for trial? Which would have resulted in a reply of "no", as no witnesses had turned up and the copper forgot to bring the evidence. We would have offered no evidence, and punter would have gone home. As it was, he said he'd talk to his client, and got him to plead guilty.
Like I say, it was definitely justice. A fine line to tread, ethically speaking.
I'm assured the £8.36 will improve shortly, but it can hardly get worse, can it?
(, Wed 31 Oct 2007, 9:22, closed)
« Go Back