30 May 2008

Working harder and smarter

The was an air of panic at the office when a rumour spread that public servants were expected to work harder and "burn the midnight oil".

Fortunately it was Kevin Rudd making the comment so it only applies to Commonwealth public servants.

Had me extremely worried for a few minutes.

Time for a coffee break.

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6 Comments:

Blogger Rita said...

I read in this mornings Age that some of Rudd's staff start at 4.30 am. Can you see that happening in the Tassie public Service? I reckon only when they know they're allowed home at 12.30 pm!

7:10 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

12:30! Why would public servants start at 4:30 and not go home earlier than they do now? They should all be lined up outside parliament and shot! At least they'd make good land fill.

12:10 pm  
Blogger Whitey said...

The 12:30pm finish is already very popular.

3:30 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whitey - some very disconcerting news last week about someone called Damon Thomas conducting a review of the state public service to get rid of wastefulness. Who is this Damon Thomas person? How can he do a review of the Service without setting up an Interdepartmental Working Group? (and can the meetings be held in the middle of the day, in the conference room in the building I work in? Lunch left-overs save me having to buy lunch, plus I can usually take some home for the family - they are always asking for take-aways).

On another point, how do I get the facilities manager to reinstall the paper towel dispenser? We have been converted to hot air hand dryers, so my supply of paper towels has dried up (so to speak). I am worried that this might be the "Thin End of the Wedge". What will we do if they move to special dispensers for toilet paper???

12:48 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whitey - some more thoughts. I find the current industrial action by the union to be most inconvenient. I am, of course, not a member (why pay dues for the union - if enough other people do, I can enjoy all the benefits without any cost?)

But this ban on overtime is a problem. With power bills so high, it saves a lot of money if I come in early, have a shower at work instead of at home, and read the office paper while eating my breakfast. I can usually scrounge tea or coffee, plus milk for my weetbix. Likewise, at the end of the day, if I stay a bit longer, then it means I don't have to fire up the heat pump at home until later. I've got the kids to do their homework at the library (heating and lighting provided for free - and they can use the internet there!) But some of the Comrades are becoming critical of my many hours in the office.
How can I tell them I am not being a scab, just frugal???


regards

President of the Whitey fan club.

5:20 pm  
Blogger Whitey said...

This all sounds eerily familiar.

My advice on the paper towels is to arrange work meetings offsite in hotels and function centres and fill a large bag with anything you can get your hands on while you are there.

As to being a scab versus being frugal - just go off on stress leave for a few weeks.

9:47 am  

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