Journal Entries
Otto's Journal: "We're not really here...."
Posted Aug 13, 2005
"We're not really here, we're not really here. Just like the fan of the invisible man, we're not really here".
So sing Manchester City fans.
And true of me too. Around extremely intermittently for the next few weeks. Off on holiday....
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Aug 13, 2005
Otto's Journal: Posh Kid Complains to Newspapers
Posted May 9, 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1604710,00.html
I'm really sick of people from private schools complaining about being 'discriminated against' for university places when in fact everything is stacked in their favour. They've had educational advantages *bought* for them - smaller class sizes, better equipment/library, more extra curricular activities, and an all-round better education since the age of 11 or even from 5.
"I received no feedback, so my teachers and I could only guess at the possible reasons for these rejections. The rejected applicants all had one thing in common: we all attended a private school."
Well guess what? No-one gets any feedback, and most people (certainly eleven years ago when I was applying) got plenty of rejections, particularly if all of your choices are the top universities. I have no idea why certain universities rejected me, but you didn't see me whinging about it in the Times.
And there's no *evidence* that this student was rejected because of being at a private school. Actually more people are applying to go to university that ever before (or at least nearly) and places at the universities that are perceived to be "top" are much harder to come by.
And the article rather pathetically claims that the student in question was "forced" to take a gap year, while at the same time stating that she had an offer from Nottingham - a very good university.
"It just didn’t seem very fair, I know there is positive discrimination in other areas but this should just be about academic ability, no matter what type of school you have come from. I support state school pupils getting every opportunity to apply to top universities, and if they are the most able, they should be given places. But they should not be given preferential treatment."
This from someone who's had nothing but preferential treatment for years......
Nothing like the annual university admissions whinge to bring out the class warrior in me......
Discuss this Journal entry [7]
Latest reply: May 9, 2005
Otto's Journal: Expletives Deleted
Posted Apr 13, 2005
I've been in dispute with my employers for the best part of four months now. To cut a long story short, I applied to have my job regraded in the annual promotions round on the basis of a set of criteria that most jobs of the higher grade involved. Fourteen critieria, thirteen ticks and a reasonable case for a fourteenth, which was optional anyway.
So I applied. And was rejected by HR for reasons that had nothing whatever to do with the publised criteria. I complained about this, and they admitted that they hadn't used the criteria and argued (implausibly) that they were for a different purpose. I also complained about factual errors in their evaluation of my application (ignored), and insisted that my application be put forward to the committee regardless of HR's opinion.
Unsurprisingly, it was rejected again. And then I had to chase around trying to get some feedback or explanation. None was forthcoming, as various senior people on the committee ruled themselves out of explaining their decision, and HR refused point blank to talk to me. Apparently it would be 'inappropriate'.
So I appealed. Management tried to block the appeal on completely spurious grounds, and then took five weeks to set it up when the appeals procedure set a limit of five days. I consulted the union, who agreed that I was entirely in the right. The appeal was heard and I presented a catalogue of errors large and small in the handling of my case.
Then I heard back today that the appeal was been turned down. Although I was required to state my case in writing, I do not have access to the 'defence' case and have not had the opportunity to respond - even though HR have been given this opportunity with my evidence. It'll be interesting to see what the union makes of this.....
No reasons have so far been forthcoming, but the person who heard the appeal has suggested a meeting in lieu of a written explanation. I've accepted on the condition that he puts his reasons in writing after the meeting and that I can have union representation in the meeting. I await the response.
HR's behaviour has been completely indefensible throughout, and I really can't see how any reasonable person can accept that the process has been carried out fairly. I look forward to finding out why on earth the person hearing the appeal has reached such an extraordinary conclusion.
And it better be good, or I'll have to go for formal grievance procedures or just save myself the bother and quit in disgust. I used to like my job and largely respected my employers, despite their occasional fits of incompetence. Oh well.
I've worked for a variety of institutions, and the most despised departments are generally: payroll, finance, IT support, and HR. But only in my current organisation is HR held in utter, utter contempt by anyone who has had any dealings with them. Though having said that, in previous employment I did once complain to my line manager about the conduct of my exit interview by HR.
So until this is resolved, I'm doing no overtime, taking every last second of my lunchbreak and annual leave, and doing no extra-curricular 'citizenship' activities for my employer which are outside my job description. No more health and safety committees, no more interview panels. Just no more.
The general consensus is that I've done really well in the last few years and have brought in a lot more money than was expected and transformed the way my department does things. Any chance of recognition or reward? Any chance of parity with similar jobs in other departments on a higher grade? Apparently not.
If the kind of work I do wasn't so hard to come by I'd resign tomorrow.....
Discuss this Journal entry [3]
Latest reply: Apr 13, 2005
Otto's Journal: The election of generality
Posted Mar 23, 2005
I'm posting this while I still can...
Highlights from the Monster Raving Loony Party's manifesto:
(http://www.omrlp.com/)
We will issue a 99p coin to save on change.
We intend to make free university tuition available to all students named Grant.
Anyone caught breaking the law will be made to mend it.
We will set up an enquiry to find out why there’s a Polar bear on Fox’s Glacier mints.
All food shall be clearly labelled “Recommended for Oral Use”.
Anyone criticising defence will be made to mend it with de hammer and de nails.
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Mar 23, 2005
Otto's Journal: Find the Fisch....
Posted Jan 13, 2005
I've not been around much recently, and probably won't be around h2g2 anything like as much as I used to be. Why? I don't know really. I think it's a phase that most researchers go through at some point. It's been 3 and half years since I first registered, so perhaps that's long enough for a h2g2 midlife crisis.
I'll be around occasionally, though....
Discuss this Journal entry [2]
Latest reply: Jan 13, 2005
Back to Otto Fisch ("Stop analysing Strava.... and cut your hedge")'s Personal Space Home
Otto Fisch ("Stop analysing Strava.... and cut your hedge")
Researcher U182089
Write an Entry
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. It has been compiled and recompiled many times and under many different editorships. It contains contributions from countless numbers of travellers and researchers."