The "this isn't the board for personal issues" thread

[Canadian_watcher]

Please explain more about "materials management". Does that mean you are doing inventory for the Tech equipment like desktops, laptops etc?

I would be fine if that were the case. I do believe I erred in calling it materiel management - more like asset management. I am to look after ALL incoming and outgoing equipment -yes all the computers, cameras projectors, etc .. but also furnishings, mechanical needs, weapons, kitchen equip, etc etc you name it. Track it, inventory it, photograph it, enter into database, determine NATO numbers, fill out asset tag requisition forms, transfer forms when required, sale forms, disposal forms, convene disposal boards, advertise internally, externally, and arrange for the movement of all items. The gov't has a pile of policy on the correct procedures for all of these items, taking into consideration recycling, non-profit partners, times of year to dispose of certain classes of items, e-waste, etc etc.

Are you talking about the U.S. Federal govt?

nope.

If the place was written up before your hire on as being a mess, I don't see them putting it on you as it is documented that the problem existed prior to your placement.

not worried about getting in trouble for the past. Worried that since then they have only had a collection of casual staff look after this mess and I am not going to receive any training. There are no systems in lace for me to run with, I'll have to create them.

I don't see the problem with firearms unless you are also responsible for learning the disposition files to track who purchases the firearms to make sure you don't get held personally liable for allowing a felon of something to get a gun.

not sure yet if I will or will not handle the disposal of the weapons. Or the other dangerous goods...

I feel duped. Yesterday I ran my arse off all day long. One of the items I've been working on disposing of for more than a month (25-30 emails, 20 phonecalls, etc) was supposed to be picked up today but got canceled AGAIN. And that's the saga for just ONE item. The joke is that for each item there are THREE stages to this process. I'm still in stage one. Stage 2 could take just as long if it has to go there.

*sigh* two full time jobs for the bargain basement cost to the employer of one full time job. yipee!

I am being a whiner. perhaps I will be able to rock this(these) job (jobs). we'll see.

[freemason9]

FWIW

A long time ago I was offered a lucrative position by a person I regarded quite highly. He was a mentor, in fact, and I was his personal assistant. The position he offered seemed--by my estimation--far above my qualifications. And I mentioned this to him over lunch as we discussed the offer.

And he leaned closely to me and whispered, "Never say you are unqualified when offered a position."

So I accepted the position, and I loved the job. I did it well, and had no problems whatever. It was a great challenge and a wonderful opportunity (a rarity, in other words).

Just thought I'd share this . . . when opportunities arise, take them, my friend. They are rare.

[Canadian_watcher]

update:

things have gotten odder.. stranger.. worse?

you tell me. I think I'm too close to thins to have proper perspective.
there's almost no way for me to avoid giving details of my situation here, and therefore I risk exposure & firing. I'm at the point where that is a big "so what"

...

I work at a place that has an obligation to assist in the rehabilitation of prisoners. We cal them 'offenders' because for whatever reason that is the current politically correct term.

So.... although up until last month my particular building was somehow exempt from hosting offenders we are now in a position to 'suck it up' and have them around.

My issue (and I'm not alone) is this:

Each day for several weeks a month we transport dangerous.. okay cut the shit here.. we move loaded weapons from the weapons vault in the basement out into waiting vans into the parking lot. This is for training purposes, and there are NO guards or fences or bars or even lines of sight separating to offenders from this exercise.

To make matters worse we are under MAJOR contruction at the moment and it is pretty much mass chaos on the grounds. The offenders are there mostly to do yard maintenance and remain outside (for the most part.)

On a couple of occasions instructors have witnessed unescorted offenders in the building, at least one time one instructor emerged from the basement with a loaded weapon and there was an unescorted offender there. Management denies this ever happened.

In addition, the groundkeeping offenders have already proven their ability to contact outside sources and there has been a contraband drop off.

Finally, there are extremely lame procedures in place ot "protect" staff.. for an example of the lameness I give you the fact that I was supposed to go into the gym and set up the tech stuff for a ceremony with 6 offenders, one of which is in for rape & murder, and the supervisor left the premises with the 6 offenders in the gym. I was sick that day, but had I been there I woudn't have known what I was getting in to.

The offenders wear no identifying uniforms. NO ID. There are at least 30 contruction workers on site who could easily be confused for these guys and there is constant traffic in and out and there is no way of distinguishing offender from regular law abiding citizen.

We have brought our concerns up to management however this was the response:

"Sure, an incident could happen. So could an EARHTHQUAKE." roll of the eyes, toss of the hair, fidgeting with the pashmina.

the contraband incident was not properly reported and I only know about it through the grapevine.

There was another incident in which a staff member was left alone with offenders after expressing concern, and before the escort left he said to the offenders: "hey, this guy is scared for me to leave you with him." at which point the offenders laughed and scoffed at the poor guy, who was out in a garage outside of the main building with 6 criminals.

So.. what does everyone think. Management is makng it out like I have an irrational fear of offenders. They are telling other staff this. it's great. I have no training and have on more than one occasion in my life been in a forcible confinement situation so I am nervous, but I wouldn't call it DEATHLY afraid.

The management seems to think staff are over-reacting because offenders in institutitons do this stuff all the time. However, this is NOT an institution and there are not any guards, bars, wires, alarms, coms, or training in place.

Advice?

EDIT: many typos due to drunkenness caused by self-soothing as a result of stress. forgive me.

[Peregrine]

Holy crap, cw, that's incredibly unnerving. Is there any way you can report unsafe work conditions to OSHA?

I did come across this, maybe give them a try.

link

[Pele'sDaughter]

With these obvious weaknesses, it's only a matter of time until they're exploited. Reminds me of old WWII ordinance that's occasionally found lying around. Sure it could go off, but will it. Don't know about you, but I wouldn't go near it. Management (term used loosely from what you describe) are morons, so you are certainly not in good hands. That sort of seeming incompetence also often masks corruption, etc., as well. Unlike your management my motto is "prepare for the worst and hope for the best".

[Alaya]

I don't know what to say except I send you the intention for you to be safe, always.

Having grown up in NYC, there is a kind of hyper-vigilant but subtle, 'wits-about-you' thing I developed and it comes back to me when I need it. However, your situation would be so constantly draining your vital energy.........is a job change possible?

[Canadian_watcher]

Hey all and thank you for the replies. I'm hoping I can type properly tonight!
- honestly how many times could I mistype 'conStruction' ??

Anyway, thank you for the link Peregrine but as a federal employee I am not covered by Provincial Acts. I did have a cursory look for legislation re this sort of safety issue but I couldn't see anything applicable.

I told my boss yesterday that I was looking for other work. She asked if there was anything that could change to make it better and I said no. I flat out said that our Director was too disrespectful to me and the other staff and that no one was going to change that. Plus of course I still feel duped by the first big issue I had with this job - that being that it is NOT the job I applied for. So there are many reasons to leave.

She is actually making enquiries on my behalf and has come up with a possibility already. Gee.. do you think they want me out as badly as I want to leave? lol

there's a staff meeting tomorrow and it'll be interesting to see if the instructors are still as vocal about this issue as they have been - I get the feeling that management has used me as an excuse to get them to tone it down, which is despicable. I can imagine the conversation going something like "Canadian_watcher is REALLY scared by the offenders and you guys continually pointing out the dangers in front of her is only hurting her more.."

whatever. let them rearrange their deck chairs, I'm getting off the ship.

Again, thank you all for the support & opinions. Very much appreciated!

EDIT: hey, just checked that link and it sounds interesting. I'm confused by the reference to Sarabanes-Oxley - must be a free trade/NAFTA thing. I'll look into it, thanks.

[Laodicean]

whatever. let them rearrange their deck chairs, I'm getting off the ship.

Shit, why don't you rearrange their deck chairs in that meeting! Sounds like a golden opportunity...

edit:

Wait - bad idea. You just might get promoted. ..

[Canadian_watcher]

whatever. let them rearrange their deck chairs, I'm getting off the ship.

Shit, why don't you rearrange their deck chairs in that meeting! Sounds like a golden opportunity...

edit:

Wait - bad idea. You just might get promoted. ..

acting like a douchebag is step one on the ladder of success where I work, so yes, I would risk that if I lost it in the meeting.