Reply to: Agents aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrgh!

[George Parr]

I worked for them for ages, and I got loads done, but only because I had root access to things, so I did the changes they said I wasn't allowed to so that the system worked better, then they got cross because they had to fill out loads of paperwork to put it back how it was.

That took them so long they usually gave up and anyway the system worked better so they didn't mind too much... I learnt from Grace Hopper "It is often easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. "

Holy Schmoley

[zeitghost99]

lovely parrot though, beauuuutiful plumage

Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue

But not as remarkable as me, might I add

[umbongo]

I love the public sector

I worked for them for ages, and I got loads done, but only because I had root access to things, so I did the changes they said I wasn't allowed to so that the system worked better, then they got cross because they had to fill out loads of paperwork to put it back how it was.

That took them so long they usually gave up and anyway the system worked better so they didn't mind too much... I learnt from Grace Hopper "It is often easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. "

[centurian]

"OJEU? Can't you order the hardware, software and consultancy as separate items? We don't want to have to do the OJEU thing if we can avoid it."

Yep. Seen that before - more than once. Amazing how creative accouting can turn a million pound project into 10 mini projects of about 100K

And what a complete load of tulip the OJEU process is. Because suppliers can know the process inside out, then can massage their bids to work around it, such that the selection is not based upon best value for money (which is supposed to be the whole point of OJEU), but simply which supplier has the best OJEU consultant that knows all the tricks of the process.

I've seen contracts awarded where no-one in the organisation wanted the system, no-one belived the supplier would be able to deliver and everyone thought the system was sh!te. But because the supplier had ticked every single box, the contract had to be awarded to them. There was a thinly veiled threat of legal action for the full contract amount if it wasn't awarded to them.

The system was sh1te and the organisation had to shell out many times the cost of the contract to keep maintain other systems and pay out for extras.

[Sysman]

Having worked for a water utility, I can see they are NOT private sector. They just like to think^H^H^H^H^H pretend they are. But their processes, mentality and working conditions are entirely public sector.

Except for their pay levels. Since they are officially private sector, their management needs "financial packages commensurate with a large corporation".

[Sysman]

Post of the week

WHS.

[KentPhilip]

Wait at home for seven to 12 weeks to be told the gig start date then get "Be sure to arrive by 8:30 tomorrow morning, they start work early there."

8:25 ... 9:00 ... 9:30 ... 10:00 ... 10:30 ... 10:45 ...

"Oh, hi. Are you starting today then? We were told you couldn't start until next week. It's a shame you weren't here last week, we did a big induction thing for new starters. Oh well."

"Here is Fred, your primary helper."
"Hello, I'm Fred. I've been here 15 years and never done a day's work. That's the way I like it and there's nothing you can do to change that."

"Freda Bloggs is your primary contact - I suggest you phone her."
"Hello, may I speak to Freda Bloggs? Off sick you say? Any idea how long for? HOW LONG???"

"You want resources? They can be recruited in, ooh, six months."

"Before you can charge any time to your project you must have a charge code. To get a charge code you must get the business case signed off. To get the business case signed off, it must have approved financial authorisation. To get financial authorisation you need a budget on the financial system. A new budget requires a project number. You get a project number when your project plan has been signed off by the project board. You assemble a project board by arranging suitable meetings. Don't forget the invitees will need to know what to charge their time to otherwise they won't attend. So be sure to give them a charge code."

"Yes I know you spent 4 weeks putting together that risk log but we're now using Corporate Risk Tool so you'll have to do it again."

Arrange a meeting .... nobody turns up. "I just assumed it was an fyi. You have to say in the invite if you want me to attend."

Follow the documented process and get a bollocking because that process is out of date. Is there a new process? No. "Didn't you attend the induction? I'm sure it would have been mentioned there."

"You, a contractor, want a desk? "

"You, a contractor, want to work from home? "

"You want me to attend a progress meeting? Sorry, I'm working from home that day."

"To obtain a resource, fill in form 234/b/76/t."
Next day, same person: "Oh no, that form was replaced ages ago. Do it again on this form."
Next day, same person: "Oh, you want one of those. You are a contractor, you cannot order those."

"Before you do anything else you must submit a business case for an External Resource. That's you. Once it has been approved, you can start work here."

"Where's your yellow card? No, not your security pass, the yellow card. Get one off Jenny. No, I don't know here second name, nor where she sits."
Jenny: "You get those off HR."
HR: "Your agent should have sorted that. See Security."
Security: "Sorry Sir, I now have to escort you off the premises since you don't have a yellow card."

"We do not have a PC for you. No, you may NOT use your own PC on this site unless it conforms to the HMG security requirements. No, they are not defined yet."

"Hello Bill, my boss said I need to speak to you for an XYZ. Tell my boss that he's a stupid twat? So where do I get an XYZ? Yeah, well f*** you too."
Five minutes later in the boss's office: "I hear you offended Bill. He is VERY important because he's the Stores Manager's Assistant and he's the son of the Director's wife's brother. Do not do that again."

"Hey you! Are you authorised to use that fax machine? That's an HR fax machine. You have to use the ICT fax machine. I don't know. Telford, probably."

"This has to be done today? But it will take me a week. Say, have you really known about this requirement for five months? You git."

"Timesheets will only be signed on Friday afternoons or Monday mornings." The building is empty on Friday afternoons and Monday mornings except for contractors.

"Yes, you DO have to do the 12 two-hour e-learning courses on health and safety."

Boss: "Ignore what my boss said, he's always wrong."
Boss's boss: "You STILL haven't done it properly, idiot."
Boss's boss's boss: "Why can you consultants never get anything right?"

"All documentation must be stored in SharePoint on the project server. Yes, we know the project server doesn't work. But leaving that aside, all documentation must be stored in SharePoint on the project server."

"PRINCE2? How quaint. We only put that on the job ads because we're told to."

"OJEU? Can't you order the hardware, software and consultancy as separate items? We don't want to have to do the OJEU thing if we can avoid it."

"You've been using the room booking system? What you have to do is give Tiffany a muffin and she will do the room bookings for you."
Tiffany: "Yes, of course. Oh, it's an IT meeting. Are you a project manager? I see. In that case I need a packet of chocolate biscuits too. Yes, EVERY time. Yes, I am serious. Because if you don't, I'll get Jenny to cancel your yellow card."

Three months into the project it dawns on you that all you have achieved is:
- a corner of a table to sit at;
- identified a depressed colleague whose shoulder you cry on;
- but at least your project now has a name.

Shall I carry on?

Post of the week

[TinTrump]

Public sector attendence. Friend of mine works for the local authority. One time last year he hurt his knee so missed a day's work. Thing is, he works from home.

[Pogle]

lovely parrot though, beauuuutiful plumage

Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue

[norrahe]

The eye patch looks great, but the wooden leg doesn't do you any favors!!

lovely parrot though, beauuuutiful plumage

[Pogle]

Keel haul the swabs! Aaarrrrr etc.

The eye patch looks great, but the wooden leg doesn't do you any favors!!

[Zippy]

Spot on!
Sums up my experience of the NHS

Keel haul the swabs! Aaarrrrr etc.

[Pogle]

Wait at home for seven to 12 weeks to be told the gig start date then get "Be sure to arrive by 8:30 tomorrow morning, they start work early there."
......................................
...............
- but at least your project now has a name.

Shall I carry on?

Spot on!
Sums up my experience of the NHS

[Coalman]

Having worked for a water utility, I can see they are NOT private sector. They just like to think^H^H^H^H^H pretend they are. But their processes, mentality and working conditions are entirely public sector.

Agree completely - ex CEGB people every where - public sector attitude all around.

[RichardCranium]

Sounds like most of the private sector utility companies I've worked for!!!

Having worked for a water utility, I can see they are NOT private sector. They just like to think^H^H^H^H^H pretend they are. But their processes, mentality and working conditions are entirely public sector.