1. I didn’t really feel I was abusing the system. I mean everybody does it. It was just a few small things really – a fax here, a few photocopies there. I felt it was justified. After all, I did do a lot of unpaid overtime and took work home with me. They seemed really pleased with my performance, so I honestly didn’t think they’d mind.

2. My boss didn’t mind if I arrived a couple of minutes late in the morning but if I wanted to leave on time, well that was a completely different story. Well, after six months, I’d just had enough of it, working late every day of the week, so one day I told him straight, I’d only work the hours I’d agreed in my contract.

3. I was having problems because I just couldn’t seem to proritise my work and organize my time. So I suppose it looked to my boss as if I couldn’t do the job. But it’s ridiculous really,. I could do it, but I just couldn’t seem to keep up with the workload. And this was a place where results were everything.

4. I knew my turn would come soon. But I hated the whole idea of spending three hours in the car every day just getting to work and back. It was OK for some of the others, I mean. They lived nearer the new site. But if I’d had to work overtime, I’d never have got home before 9 o’clock. Well, in the end, I just couldn’t do it, and I wouldn’t do it, and that’s what I told them/

5. I suppose they didn’t want to carry me any longer. I think people just got fed with having to cover for me and take on all my work when I was away. But it seems a pretty poor show to sack someone for something that isn’t their fault. I mean no one wants to be ill, do they?