Do you want the job or NOT?

[Katie G]

Well, one thing I can say about this profession is that it offers unlimited opportunites to look like an idiot.

We have a new person coming on next Monday.  It was made VERY clear to me that the "operations" guy (bossie's boss) is ther person in charge of authorizing things like the computer and the phone lines.  

We knew this person was hired a MONTH ago.  Since then  I've been asking, reminding, and prodding the "operations" about getting the new hire's computer and phone set up.   (Never mind a desk to sit at!)

Every time I've contacted his office,  I've offered,  "What can I do on my end to help this along?" "Is there anything I can handle for you?" "What do you need from our office?" and so on and so on.  Standard answer? "We'll get back to you."

Now I KNOW that at least for a telephone line to be activated, the Telecom dept requires a three week lead time.  We're one week out and there hasn't even been a service request put through!

Computer Services needs a good lead time as well to set up an account.  No paperwork on that, either.  In fact, there's some confusion as to whether the actual machine exists or not yet!  ("Well, there's a requisition, but we don't show a purchase order.....")

How about we get a desk ready? Nope.  Nothing done there either.  

I offer to help and am told (nicely but firmly) that it's not my job.  

Good grief!  This woman is going to be walking into an EMPTY OFFICE at this rate and THERE'S NOTHING I'M ALLOWED TO DO ABOUT IT!  Mercifully, I've met her already and she seems to be reasonable.  She's actually coming from another divison of our organization so she shouldn't be TOO surprised.  

I just HATE watching a train wreck coming and having my hands tied!  Fortunately, I've kept a detailed file of my requests and the non-answers I've received.  I sure waste a lot of time and paper on CYA stuff.

Do you actually want to handle the Operations of this department, Mr. Operations Guy or do you just like the snazzy title?

Vent over.  Off to get chocolate out of freezer and start cleaning up my desk to go home.

[movinonup]

I am so with you on this one, Didface.  I've grown so impatient with the people who are supposed to get things ready for new hires, that I absolutely DREAD it when my boss tells me someone new will be coming on board.  I used to get in trouble with other departments for sending the type of prodding e-mails you refer to.  Now I've learned to just sit and wait.  Once the authorization for the equipment has been put in the works, I'm told I should just stay out of it.  

It's a horrible feeling, I know, to have new people come in and look as if you haven't even thought about what they'll be needing.

Movinonup

[JessW]

I would say that even worse than that is, once told to mind your own business, the deadline comes and goes and then you are held responsible for something/everything having not been done.  It happens to me all the time.

Sheesh, but who do these people think I am (and no I don't walk on water or change water into wine, however useful and marketable those skills are - not in my job descriptionn so why expect me to do it!)

Mini vent there - sorry.

I truly sympathise, but advise do as Pontius did - wash you hands.

Jess

[chevygirl55]

Boy, has this hit home.  I have a new hire coming in today.  No phone, no computer, no cell phone, no business cards.  All standard for the position he has hired for.  I ask and I ask and get no response except have so and so talk to me about it.  

If I were to walk into that situation as a new hire, I would turn right around and walk back out the door.  Obviously, this position is not that important or someone would be doing something.  

Offering to help just falls on deaf ears.

What a mess!

chevygirl55

[Katie G]

Well, this morning, I handed my file over to my boss and said, "I've done all I can."  He looked at the emails and messages, nodded, and said, "Yep, there's nothing else you can do."  He's going to see OpsMan today -- we'll see what happens.

I'm washing my hands of it -- and there's some yummy smelling peach-scented hand soap in the ladies' room to do it!

[gee4]

As you speak I have been revaming our new start/leavers procedures and hopefully we shall get line managers to complete these forms and follow guidelines prior to a member of staff starting or leaving the company.

G

[elkiedee]

Oh how awful. I can't offer any advice but it seems rather crazy to presumably put time and money into recruiting someone and not to put effort into making them feel welcome/able to do whatever they're there for. We once lost a locum member of staff within a day, eek!

I hope you'll let us know how you get through the embarrassment of the first day of this new person starting with no phone or computer login etc for a month...

Luci

[Katie G]

Well, I found a desk in an abandoned office in the basement of our building.  I gave it a good dusting and wipedown and have a work order in to have it brought up.  If it's not here by noon tomorrow, bossie and I are going to purloin a dolly (I know where one is hiding in somebody's office) and just bring it up on the elevator ourselves.  Somebody will pitch a fit because we're "not supposed to do that", but at least this way our new employee will at least have a desk and chair, if nothing else.