Ian Moore – Providing a friendly ear

In later life, as a Senior Rate, I’ve had lads coming to me, my Department, “Chief, can I have a quiet word with you?” “How quiet?” “Can I shut the door?” “Yes you can” and I know then that if they’re shutting the door, it’s because there’s a damn good reason behind it, and it’s something that is literally between me and him and will never go outside that room, as to what he’s actually needs to tell me, various things.

And I’ve heard all sorts of things, but it’s something that they needed to get off their chest.

They needed to get some form of understanding, they needed a second opinion, knowing full well that they couldn’t discuss it with any of their peers for fear of retribution or ribbing.

All sorts of things that could happen for something that potentially for them is quite serious.