aaagh! advice needed by boris

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aaagh! advice needed

POSTED BY: BORIS
UPDATED: Sunday, August 29, 2010 02:23
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Tuesday, August 10, 2010 5:15 AM

The Coordinator at the afterschool care where I work resigned to follow her Fiancee to Tasmania...Good on her...Unfortunately it means me and my coworkers are subjected to the powermongering of her No 2, who has applied for her job.(E.g. today she told me off because I went to do the dishes at 4:27 instead of 4:30 when I'd been asked to start them!!!!) There is someone temporarily acting as Coordinator but she doesn't seem to have any control over what's happening as she's new to this program she has also applied for the job and doesn't want to stir things up (those of us who've been around for a while are gunning for her to get it as she has her head screwed on unlike No. 2, who's a nice girl but can't deal with power). Anyway Kids are understandibly disgruntled and raw over coordiantor leaving so No 2 decides now is a good time to completely change their routine and somehow convinces big boss it's a good idea!!!!! Naturally the kids revolted and have been completely ferral for the last two days. The temp coordiantor sought me out to see what my thoughts were about it and she and I (and the other experienced crew members) both agree it's a bad idea as the kids don't need the extra disruption, and it makes it harder for her to establish a workable rapport with them as she's the one who has to enforce routine changes. I said I'd back her whatever she decides to do. I'm pretty sure she wants me to say something to big boss...not sure if this would be appropriate, though am busting to say something before things get really messy. any ideas/advice?

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010 5:44 AM

BYTEMITE

Well... which is the problem you want to address first? The children feeling betrayed one of their caretakers left them and uprooted from what was familiar and pacifying? Or your wanting to back the No2's decision? Or what you're going to say to your boss?

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:12 AM

RIVERDANCER

I don't see that it would be inappropriate to say that the kids were having a lot of problems with all the changes and that, maybe, a more familiar routine would help them adjust to the change in personnel. This is what you believe to be best for everyone, both children and staff. You don't even have to bring up anything about Number 2 and her poor decision making, but if you were to say something like "I agree with our new coordinator on this matter," it could be taken as strong support for her to get the job permanently.

Facts are stubborn things.

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:27 AM

CYBERSNARK

Yeah, I agree with RiverDancer; put it in terms of what the kids need, and tell your boss that the acting-Coordinator is doing a good job and should be made permanent. If Numbah Two is causing this much disruption, you can probably just assume that the boss has already heard about it (or will before too long) --you don't want to be the one who escalates.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010 11:43 AM

BORIS

Thanks that's really good advice...I think I'm going to talk to the acting supervsior about her saying something to big boss about the disruption to the kids and the extra stress its putting on her efforts to run the program, I'll go with her as support if she wants/needs me to.

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010 12:54 AM

FILLYGIRL

Operative: "Its worse than you know..." Mal: "It usually is."

The only thing I can add is, to be sure that you start out with the concern for the childrens stability at this time,.....then commend the 'acting superviser's current solution.
Good Luck!

Do not bother dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010 2:20 AM

BORIS

I go back tomorrow. The kids needs and stability are my primary concern, but once that's sorted I also want to back the new supervisor because I think she'll bring a nice new flavour to the place. Hopefully the kids and our coworkers will give her a chance. I have about half the team and the older kids on side (they seem to respect my opinion) If The other kids see the staff team working well with the acting supervisor that will hopefully make them more secure about her...not many of them like No.2. they just tolerate her so they don't get into trouble. makes for some difficulty and also a big reason why the rest of us hope she doesn't get the job. again she's not a bad person, but could do with more experience. damn I hate work politics!

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010 2:47 AM

FILLYGIRL

Operative: "Its worse than you know..." Mal: "It usually is."

Good Luck and I hate work politics too. I will send good Mojo for you all.

Do not bother dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

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Thursday, August 12, 2010 3:21 AM

BORIS

Thanks for the good MOJO It obviously did the trick. The afternoon worked out well...No.2 admitted she's been a bit of a nut job due to stress. Big boss was our extra staff member which meant there were a couple of us experienced troopers mixed in with the new blood. Subsequently we all worked together as a team...evrything was hunky dory...hope it lasts.

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Wednesday, August 25, 2010 12:48 AM

BORIS

And we're back to blegh! I've given it three weeks. Acting supervisor has "resigned" so I have no allies left on team. Meeting on Monday so we can voice our opinions r.e how things are going at after school care...I had my shifts cut this week as a warning, but had already decided to go the ethical route for the kids sake and speak up. Kids need to be relaxing and playing after a day at school not sitting and waiting and being quiet for ages. luckily I'm well versed in relevant Government policy and quality assurance requirements. During the meeting I'm gonna get the documentation out and highlight the areas that are being contravened.

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Wednesday, August 25, 2010 2:15 AM

FILLYGIRL

Operative: "Its worse than you know..." Mal: "It usually is."

Oh no! Darn, I am sorry to hear that its going down hill,...good job on quoteing the rules,....good luck with this one,...I will pray this time! Mojo only worked for a short time,....

the children are the most important item,...not anything else, I hope they remember this.

Is there anyone 'above' them to go to?

Do not bother dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

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Wednesday, August 25, 2010 2:14 PM

BORIS

There is someone "above" but I'm going to leave going to her as a last resort as she generally has the same views as me which makes me oh so very popular with the others. I think referring to the relevant sections of the QA manual and our written policies will be my best bet...I'll still be unpopular but someone's gotta advocate for the munchkins.
Thanks for the prayers Fillygirl :-)

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Thursday, August 26, 2010 2:10 AM

FILLYGIRL

Operative: "Its worse than you know..." Mal: "It usually is."

Good Luck! I will say another little prayer for the kids. Retorical question.....why is it that the most obvious choices(and best) are so hard for some to see?

Do not bother dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

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Thursday, August 26, 2010 3:18 AM

PIRATENEWS

John Lee, conspiracy therapist at Hollywood award-winner History Channel-mocked SNL-spoofed PirateNew.org wooHOO!!!!!!

First, immediately move into a bunker with a 2-year food supply and water storage. Electricity by solar and wind. Ammo...you need lots of ammo for your full-auto 223, or better, 50 cal.

Helps to lock yourself in the bunker with a beautiful member of the opposite sex. To procreate the human race. Chloroform helps.

That is all.

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Thursday, August 26, 2010 4:44 AM

BORIS

WO! Your prayers is mighty powerful. Got to work and big boss wanted to talk. she said she was becoming concerned about how regimented things had become and did I agree...also, turns out No. 2, in her desire to be seen as competent had overdone things but yesterday actually said she thinks she got it wrong and felt we needed to tone things down for the kids sake (Halleluyah!) also big boss said Number 2 was aware of her inexperience, and was keen to get me on side but found me a bit intimidating. Big boss encouraged me to talk to her about how we could communicate more effectively with each other and suggested I should put it into a jokey context to scare her less...and I was subtly asked to mentor her. Also found out one of my co workers had been stirring up trouble and including me as an ally in her rants. aagh!

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Thursday, August 26, 2010 10:44 PM

FILLYGIRL

Operative: "Its worse than you know..." Mal: "It usually is."

Oh my goodness! I am glad to hear it went well,...now if you could do the same or me,..I got a problem and I am in a meeting this afternoon about it. Send much good wishes please, I will keep the positive attitude,...

Do not bother dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

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Friday, August 27, 2010 1:57 AM

BORIS

I sent you my strongest wishes and good hopes...how did it pan out?

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Saturday, August 28, 2010 1:59 AM

FILLYGIRL

Operative: "Its worse than you know..." Mal: "It usually is."

Well, it seems to have been okay, but I know there are things in the back groung that the bosses aren't telling us. It may take a day or two to see how things 'settle'.
How is the situation on your end? Do you think it may calm down now or just 'hide' and raise its head again?

Do not bother dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

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Saturday, August 28, 2010 4:21 AM

BORIS

I think my ends all good...big boss has stepped in and clued me in. we have a meeting on Monday where she wants me to help get the team flow going. We're aiming to keep the communication going and I've been given a bit of lee way to say what I need to when I think it needs to be said to No. 2. Hope your Job settles and bosses aren't planning anything negative :)

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Sunday, August 29, 2010 2:23 AM

FILLYGIRL

Operative: "Its worse than you know..." Mal: "It usually is."

Thanks for the good wishes, Sorry I didn't answer your PM,..but I was up all day on Friday and I didn't get to a PC. I am glad that the children are again the only reason for anything thats done, and I know you will be okay. I work for a contract company to the Feds, they told us last week, that they are not going to bid on the contract this time. It is for 'small, minority owned and operated business only' and they were bought out by a huge DOD contractor in May, so they can't apply for the contract. So, I may be out of work,...I have a long time friend who works for another contract company that is bidding, so maybe Jon can help me if I get layed-off. And that is my problem,...not knowing whats gonna happen for at least 3-4 months. I have started looking for work, as you never know. I will get unemployment if it does go that way.
I want to win the lottery,...but so does everybody else!!
Keep us posted,...

Do not bother dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

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