I swear there are. Two. Namely Fucking Job Fucking Evaluation. Hell's Teeth. I have spent a lot of time over the last week or two filling in this 34 page form, with which many public sector employees will be familiar. Apparently what I had written was all wrong. It started badly when the interviewer pointed out I had my arms folded (in what I had thought was an agreeable and open fashion, but apparently not). Within 30 minutes he made a comment about my attitude ("and there's me thinking I was all happy and smiley"). It went downhill from there, and a three hour session was reduced to two, and I basically have to start again. That's what happens when you have a single form to describe some 5000 different jobs to some nameless evaluator. Square pegs and round holes. Certainly a lack of decent guidance on how to fill out the stupid form (not accepted by interviewer, of course, but he has done the form a 1000 times and can afford to be smug).
Example: How do you communicate with your manager? My answer: "face to face contact". Not good enough. "Well I sit opposite him, how do you want me to put it?" We gave up on that one, resorted to me making scribbled notes on my form, while he gave up editing the form on his laptop. He curtailed the interview, and refused to accept any possibility that the system was complete and utter balls.
Apparently, I have to re-do it when I get back from Scotland. Maybe I will, maybe I wont. Normally I am the gentlest, shiest person, but if I get backed into a corner ("everyone has to do this, there is no choice") like this, I will kick and scream like the best of them. I didnt ask for it, it has nothing to do with my job. It just makes some idiot at the top feel important. I actually cried when I came out.
I was reminded of when my previous partner inveigled/blackmailed me into Marriage Guidance Counselling (I didnt need counselling, all she needed to do was act like a normal human being). I didnt want to go, but when I did, all I got out of it was frustration and anger, which was why I didnt want to go in the first place.
Rant over. Stone cold sober.
I am looking forward to a week in Fife, starting 0430 tomorrow when we get up to go to the airport. Pictures to follow
8 comments:
_how_ many fucking pages? jesus h. corbett!
I resent filling in just the one page once a year! You have my sympathy, bud.
An Area Manager tried this on me one year (a long, long time ago now)...at the time I was the sole experienced scheduler/planner (with one raw untrained assistant) on a medium-sized bus company fighting for survival...
I told him that if he wanted to evaluate my work, then go ahead if he felt qualified...if on the other hand he wanted me to do so, then he should be ashamed of being so idle as to expect me to do his job as well as my own...I copied in the MD...
He left a few weeks later and I never heard from him again...I understand he's now working as an independent consultant... why am I not surprised?
34 pages! Crazy. Sounds a complete nightmare, I take it this evaluation is in some way supposed to be helpful in your career development ;)
We used to get travel warrents which had a space for us to fill in called, "Discription of Ticket." Answer was "Piece of paper 6 ins long by 3/4 wide with printing on it." The warrents don't ask for a discription any more.
Luckily for you, you work for local gov.
If I were you I would visit my GP, get written off for a fortnight's holiday, er, I mean 'stress'.
Then I would complain to my union rep and my boss about this evaluator and use all the words that trendy, 'modern', local gov types can't bear to hear.
Words like 'judgemental', 'bullying'and 'insufficient support' should start the ball rolling.
Sitting with your arms folded is essentially a defensive posture but when you are being attacked I'm sure it's only natural.
They can't (and won't) sack you for complaining but you will win back your dignity and self-respect.
Have fun in Jockland (is jealous).
Love,
D.
What H said plus:)
I used to fill in a job evaluation form when I was in the rat race, now my job evaluation is four words "I love my job!"
Have fun above the wall.
Mermy
I don't miss any of that crap. Looking forward to pics. Have a great break!
Blimey that's a bit pants to say the least.
Give my love to Fife - I grew up there, in St Andrews.
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