With regards to Voluntary Separation Schemes (VSS), I have to say that it is the wrong method to reduce staff as it will most certainly not have the desired effect. VSS, by its very nature, will be mostly accepted by those which a company needs to keep (the good ones) as they know they can easily get a job elsewhere.

If you are looking to get rid of deadwood, the best way is to have a very strict appraisal and reward system. The big accountancy firms practices this well to a certain extent (although not completely flawless).

Those that are good will get good increment and those that are bad will be denied promotions and bonuses and many other perks. Those who do not function properly must be counselled (read: hounded) relentlessly until they perform.

There is nothing more demoralising then hardworking staff seeing those who spend more time in tea shops and chatting on the phones getting away with impunity. I am not a follower of management watching over staff like a hawk but at the same time, certain mechanism must be in place to ensure work gets done.

With regards to Telekom's recent move to offer VSS to its staff, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

As 'monopoly service provider' whose major infrastructure cost has been underwritten by taxpayers money before being written of for privatisation, I want to have seamless and flawless service, bills without errors and no Internet downtime.

It looks like many businesses care more for investors then for the consumers who actually pay for their posh offices and luxury cars. There should be a balance. At the moment there is too much emphasis on investors, which is not acceptable.