i want beer

[mellowtigger]

I didn't want to job hunt, but I think my stress level is reaching a point where I should start doing it.

I was already busy with my job, but then I doubled my hours to work full time.  I was already busy working fulltime, but then the CEO decides the voicemail system is wrong.  It falls, of course, upon me to fix it.  The phone database fails to cooperate by crashing due to corruption; it's not what I'd call reliable.

I'm on the verge of throwing in the towel (and some of my tech reputation) by just telling them to report their wishes to the vendor and have them assign someone to fix it.  I don't get paid anywhere near what a phone system project manager gets paid.  I'm willing to accept the reputational loss as long as it gains me some respite from the stress of attending to so many unrelated things at once.

Oh, and I've been working with a vendor's "Technical Support Analyst IV" regarding their website not working on our pcs, and I'm very unimpressed.  I trust my own tech skills far more than theirs.  And this vendor happened to be quoted on National Public Radio a few days ago, so they're no "small fry" in the marketplace.

Three years ago, someone pushed to get 2.5 FTEs (full time employees) for tech support here.  We're down to 2.0 FTEs now, even less if we put me back to part time status.  We've certainly grown during the past three years.  If I stick around, there's a very good chance that I'll become a programmer again.  I'd enjoy that role again.  I've lost faith, however, in my ability to endure until that emancipation.

Oh, and my new director-level boss wants weekly status and time-usage reports.

Beer is good.

Comments

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Ugh. I had to do those stupid time-usage reports a couple times on my previous job - always when there was someone in management who was disconcerted by the fact I was effectively self-directed. (One of whom once seemed to really want to get me fired - he was stunned when he asked me what I'd accomplished recently and I gave him a fairly substantial list off the top of my head; I think he was expecting me to say I played a lot of computer solitaire and searched the internet for porn or something.)

I would honestly be surprised if the time spent on that sort of report actually increases efficiency enough to offset the time wasted filling out the reports... except perhaps in the case where they already KNOW someone is goldbricking and management wants to document it or catch the person in a lie so they can fire the twit without a hassle.

As a supervisor I can say......

[kroyd.livejournal.com]

This seemingly futile activity is often used to identify unproductive and incompetent employees. It also serves well to document very effective and productive individuals as well. With that data on file, it may be easier to get the raise if you threaten to leave. Or it may justify the hiring of additional staff.

Best of luck.

Re: As a supervisor I can say......

[mellowtigger]

I've always thought that time-management reporting was a sign that management had no clue what staff was doing. In this case maybe it could be forgiven, since the guy was hired only last week and obviously couldn't know what staff is doing. He loses his "get out of jail free" card, though, for mentioning ISO certification in the same staff meeting.

I keep repeating to anyone who'll listen that I want more staff on tech support. Having "numbers" to back up the request would surely help the new Director make the case, but I've already moved beyond the "numbers" stage to the beer stage.

I don't think it's an effort to fire anyone. Our group survived losing 1/3 of us recently because I was available to step up and take more hours and replace some (not all) of the lost skill set. If we lost 2/3 (or 3/3), then the organization is basically on hold for a few months until another batch of people learn the job... while paying much higher fees to vendor specialists to do our job during the interim.

I was always the best one on the team to document my activity in the reporting system (such as it was) that we used to have. These days, we have nothing but emails color-coded with who deals with them. During the last month, I noticed (and felt) the nearly 10:1 disparity in email dispatches. I was hoping that my taking over day-to-day support that way would help later by getting me closer to a server infrastructure that I like. The other guy did make progress. We now have Server 2008 R2 domain controllers, so I can use Powershell to do interesting things... *long dramatic pause*... if only I had any spare time in which to do them. *sigh*

[vulpesferox.livejournal.com]

Hm, this sounds like times where I was asked if I could do a calligraphy project. I replied no, I don't know how to do calligraphy.

"But, aren't you an artist?!"

Yes, yes I am but that doesn't mean I know how to do goddamn everything!

Terry, this is just as ridiculous as sounding as them asking the former head of I.T. to also manage facilities. :P I'm very sorry but at the same time you need to do what's in your best interest as well!

[mellowtigger]

In spite of today's "pep talk" in the staff newsletter, I still don't see what septic systems have to do with Exchange servers. I remain skeptical of this combination. I think there are better ways to reduce costs than to create brand new layers of management (a move which itself reduces the staff available to handle tech needs).

*much longer rant deleted during edit*

[pi3832.livejournal.com]

"You might feel a little sting. That's pride fucking with you. Fuck pride."

[mellowtigger]

If only Curiosity didn't get in the way. It's actually kind of entertaining (in that geeky way that I'm sure you understand) to see how the phone system is put together, even as badly organized as it is. But, yeah, I've nearly convinced myself to throw the problem over the political fence and have somebody pay for fixing it with their dollars instead my sanity.

[pi3832.livejournal.com]

While I can completely understand the curiosity thing, I can almost guarantee you that tossing the problem to someone else is the right thing to do.

And I doubt it will cost you much politically if you put it in terms of, "This will take more time to fix than I have available to apply to fixing it." You maintain your "I could do it" status, but you also remind folks that you are a limited resource.

[kroyd.livejournal.com]

It never hurts to put out feelers regarding prospects at other companies. I once heard that the best career moves are from one company to another. If nothing else it's just helpful to know we have options. I've been with the same employer, and at the same agency for almost 14 years. It has often made it easier to stay if I know I have options.

[mellowtigger]

"If nothing else it's just helpful to know we have options."

Yeah, just knowing where to find the Exit is a useful de-stress tool.