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| Adverse_Camber |
on Tue 16 Feb 10, 8:50 PM to Adverse_Camber's blog.
I don't normally do ranty blogs, but tonight I'm angry...hoppy-spitty-jumpy-mad...
Found out today about a wonderful piece of new technology my company plan to introduce, for all of us who work in the field to use.
It's a 'phone...it's cool, all sleek and touch-screeny and shiny...we'll be able to access the computer system remotely, upload, download, etc., etc....All good stuff huh?
Until the rest of it is explained...we will be expected to log on when we begin in the morning to say we have started for the day, tap in when we have a break, when that break ends, tap in the start of journeys, tap in the end thereof, sign out at the end of the day...If we forget, someone from HO will call to check why we haven't tap-tap-tapped the lil fucker...
And how will they know? Because they are going to have a giant map which is fed by our phones EVERY FIVE MINUTES and creates an hourly summary...I should add that the vast majority of us work anything from 40 to 60 hours in a given week, so it ain't like we're all watching Jeremy Kyle all day. Our contractual terms are flexible working, so none of us get paid overtime...
My response to my manager was "I've got nothing to hide, but I'm not carrying one of those fucking things!" Slightly inappropriate perhaps, but as I may have mentioned, I'm a bit pissed off about this whole idea.
And the best bit? Out of 250 or so of us out in the field, I'm just about the calmest...so how are the rest of them gonna respond when I have to go out to them and deliver the great tidings???
Is this even legal? Does anybody know? Am I severely overreacting, or is this really the most incredibly unacceptable invasion of our privacy and rights???
| 16 Feb 10, 8:57 PM Caracal UK(SS), 5 yrs      |
It's just the modern day version of punch time cards, I worked in a factory when I was a teenager and we used to have to clock in and out with a manual punchcard (yes I am that old!), our breaks were fixed and woe betide you if you forgot to clock in or out - you didn't get paid. Technology has just made it easier to track people and, with the advent of remote working, employers are keen to ensure that they are getting what they pay for. It doesn't stop you feeling aggrieved or mistrusted but there are those who are unscrupulous enough to work far less than the contracted hours. It's a slur though on those who do work more than they are meant to. There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness. | ||
| 16 Feb 10, 8:58 PM Shineecouple UK, 9 yrs |
They sound incredibly easy to 'accidentally' lose, break or have stolen.
Bet the batteries need charging when there's no mains nearby too. | ||
| 16 Feb 10, 9:01 PM bratyboyslim 8 yrs |
accidently drop it down the loo, once a week should suffice, after a month they'll stop replacing em | ||
| 16 Feb 10, 9:03 PM zelie UK(HA), 9 yrs |
Well this would be why they want to introduce them. Your employers have no clear idea how much their staff are working and it seems reasonable for them to track it. Aside from anything else they will want to ensure they are in compliance with laws regarding hours and their contractual obligations. They will also want to keep an eye on people they suspect of abusing their relaxed approach to hours. So yes, you are hugely over-reacting. Your employer is perfectly entitled to ask you to prove that you are working when you say you are. I'm about as submissive as dracula on speed.... | ||
| 16 Feb 10, 9:04 PM Adverse_Camber UK, 3 yrs |
I think it's the mistrusted bit that annoys me...they rely a hell of a lot on our good will...but show very little back. And I think we're all sick of being "punished" for a very very small minority who take the piss and should be handled by their own "managers" (term loosely used...)
"I see the shooting stars falling through your trembling hands..." | ||
| 16 Feb 10, 9:05 PM Adverse_Camber UK, 3 yrs |
Oh I've been assured we'll get in-car chargers, and pay for loss etc... (Like your thinking tho..
"I see the shooting stars falling through your trembling hands..." | ||
| 16 Feb 10, 9:06 PM Adverse_Camber UK, 3 yrs |
Hehehe...I was wondering if they were gonna include a button for "Toilet breaks: Number One or Number Two?", so in your scenario, there could be a "Whoops, I did it again!" button too "I see the shooting stars falling through your trembling hands..." | ||
| 16 Feb 10, 9:08 PM bratyboyslim 8 yrs |
works for me | ||
| 16 Feb 10, 9:10 PM Adverse_Camber UK, 3 yrs |
Unfortunately, they are not doing it to see how hard we all work, but to prove how little we do...which I can assure you is not the case. Our work is also outcome driven, so if the goods aren't produced, it is a clear indicator of a problem. MOST of us work 1/3 more hours to keep up, a small minority fall behind...but they should be supported, not tracked like criminals... "I see the shooting stars falling through your trembling hands..." | ||
| 16 Feb 10, 9:15 PM Skyhook 7 yrs |
When I was made redundant eight years ago I got a job as a Salesman ("don't say sales rep") for one of our suppliers.
We had to have six appointments (plus random drop-ins) each day for the week, planned and emailed to our manager on the Monday morning. Occasionally the managers would wait outside a company to see if you turned up for the apointment... I lasted six months, resigned and went back to the company that had given me the Spanish Archer. For a lot more pay. Now the sales reps for that company have to text before and after they do a visit. It seems nowadays companies/managers are more concerned about you filling in reports than actually doing your job. "Me? I'm all about the hugs. Edited 16 Feb 10, 9:16 PM by Skyhook |
