Things that don't deserve their own thread

[Sandstorm]

If I need to quickly ask someone something and it's more time sensitive than waiting for an email response, I'll just drop an IM 'have you got 5 minutes?' Occasionally you'll be ignored or end up just missing each other's availability, but the vast majority of the time it works. A lot of the time the query can be dealt with just via Teams chat and we'll escalate to a call if something's not being.

I'll only schedule an actual Zoom meeting with people if I'm pretty certain we'll need more than 20 minutes to go over whatever it is.

The tools are definitely there if people want to use them properly, but it can be difficult to try and set boundaries with superiors who don't like or want to engage with said tools or to go against a workplace culture of meeting setting. All you can do is push back via your immediate managers. I found it helps to frame it as being better for the business by improving efficiency or some such waffle - they could have me in a meeting paying attention or have me doing useful work and most of the time the latter is a better use of my time and their money.

Teams and Zoom? You guys are wasting money.

[inactionman]

If I need to quickly ask someone something and it's more time sensitive than waiting for an email response, I'll just drop an IM 'have you got 5 minutes?' Occasionally you'll be ignored or end up just missing each other's availability, but the vast majority of the time it works. A lot of the time the query can be dealt with just via Teams chat and we'll escalate to a call if something's not being.

I'll only schedule an actual Zoom meeting with people if I'm pretty certain we'll need more than 20 minutes to go over whatever it is.

The tools are definitely there if people want to use them properly, but it can be difficult to try and set boundaries with superiors who don't like or want to engage with said tools or to go against a workplace culture of meeting setting. All you can do is push back via your immediate managers. I found it helps to frame it as being better for the business by improving efficiency or some such waffle - they could have me in a meeting paying attention or have me doing useful work and most of the time the latter is a better use of my time and their money.

Pretty much it. The setting of relentless zoom meets is simply a norm that';s got out of hand.

In my more cynical moments it occurs to me that it's some people's way of avoiding work whilst being seen to do work.

'What a mad morning of back-to-back meets' - that they had scheduled and during which they just played solitaire. Maybe I should just start doing that instead.

[sockwithaticket]

If I need to quickly ask someone something and it's more time sensitive than waiting for an email response, I'll just drop an IM 'have you got 5 minutes?' Occasionally you'll be ignored or end up just missing each other's availability, but the vast majority of the time it works. A lot of the time the query can be dealt with just via Teams chat and we'll escalate to a call if something's not being.

I'll only schedule an actual Zoom meeting with people if I'm pretty certain we'll need more than 20 minutes to go over whatever it is.

The tools are definitely there if people want to use them properly, but it can be difficult to try and set boundaries with superiors who don't like or want to engage with said tools or to go against a workplace culture of meeting setting. All you can do is push back via your immediate managers. I found it helps to frame it as being better for the business by improving efficiency or some such waffle - they could have me in a meeting paying attention or have me doing useful work and most of the time the latter is a better use of my time and their money.

Teams and Zoom? You guys are wasting money.

I meant Teams, although we do actually still have Zoome and Teams, which really doesn't help stop me mixing them up. It is actually necessary, at exam boards a lot of senior examiners and content writers are retired and so don't have access to Teams via a centre as active teachers might. They're also quite tech resistant and we just about managed to get them all using Zoom during the pandemic and before the shift to Teams, trying to coax them onto the latter has proven more effort than continuing to let them use Zoom as far as some of our decision makes are concerned.

[sockwithaticket]

If I need to quickly ask someone something and it's more time sensitive than waiting for an email response, I'll just drop an IM 'have you got 5 minutes?' Occasionally you'll be ignored or end up just missing each other's availability, but the vast majority of the time it works. A lot of the time the query can be dealt with just via Teams chat and we'll escalate to a call if something's not being.

I'll only schedule an actual Zoom meeting with people if I'm pretty certain we'll need more than 20 minutes to go over whatever it is.

The tools are definitely there if people want to use them properly, but it can be difficult to try and set boundaries with superiors who don't like or want to engage with said tools or to go against a workplace culture of meeting setting. All you can do is push back via your immediate managers. I found it helps to frame it as being better for the business by improving efficiency or some such waffle - they could have me in a meeting paying attention or have me doing useful work and most of the time the latter is a better use of my time and their money.

Pretty much it. The setting of relentless zoom meets is simply a norm that';s got out of hand.

In my more cynical moments it occurs to me that it's some people's way of avoiding work whilst being seen to do work.

'What a mad morning of back-to-back meets' - that they had scheduled and during which they just played solitaire. Maybe I should just start doing that instead.

I suspect most of us have had those thoughts and tbf my line manager has been quite open with me about booking in a full hour for fortnightly 1:1 check ins, even though we'll rarely go above 15 minutes, as it means she actually gets some concerted time when no one will bother her.

[Raggs]

Maybe invest into a sit/stand desk? They're getting more reasonably priced, even the electric motor ones.

[mat the expat]

I see. Just not attend meets called by various programme and function directors, it's an interesting idea. Not one that's likely to keep me in a job for long, but at least I'll be free to get up from my desk whenever I want.

I'm fascinated as to how zoom/teams has impacted working and culture now that it - in many organisations - has almost completely replaced physical meets. My current employer has always had an 'interruptible' culture where people are encouraged to contact those who can help and for those who can help to respond. This has the unfortunate side effect of random zoom meets being dropped into diaries, to the point that many now have to actually block a meeting over their lunchtime - previously where co-located you'd stop by desk and if they're free you'd talk, if they weren't free you'd come back later. The issue with the zoom invite is that an empty slot in a diary does not mean free or not busy, or that it's convenient. On top of this, most diaries work in 30 minute chunks, so my day rapidly becomes a set of 30 minute meets back-to-back.

I could, of course just decline meets, but all the meets are to at least some degree relevant. All that's really needed is an etiquette to check with people before booking them into meets, which is simply basic courtesy but frequently gets missed.

In terms of physical environment, my office set-up is pretty decent, I've been a contractor for a decade so I've always bought my own kit and - given tax breaks - I generally buy decent stuff. I got a Herman Millar chair from an office outlet (which I'd heartily recommend) and have the 32" 4k screen and all the gubbins. Despite all this, the fact remains that sitting at a workstation and staring at a screen for extended periods is simply not good for you. At all.

And yet, millions are capable of doing it.

I'm not picking on you but I've managed staff remotely all through covid, and been at the beck and call of C-level people.

They would be mortified to realise that a person is stuck at their desk all day. Loads are down with walking meetings, etc - I personally use a standing desk and move between 3 positions over the day

When working from the office, I would never be sat at the desk all day - it's your choice to do it.

[Guy Smiley]

It's a mistake to assume that working conditions in one workplace will be replicated in others. Different philosophies are one thing but you generally find a weird sort of 'evolution' of early practises or habits by a small group of original staff members will have rendered a working environment unrecognisable to those used to different regimes or even offices within the same company.

[Tichtheid]

I went to the dentist yesterday, I hadn't had an appointment with her before.

She was going through the checks of all my teeth and her assistant was taking notes etc. I have a bridge across one of my front teeth, she asked how long I'd had the bridge, I said, "About thirty years - it was rugby".

"Oh" said she, "What position did you play?"

"Prop", I answered"

She said, "I used to play prop, that's why I have bite mark on my cheek"

[Sandstorm]

I went to the dentist yesterday, I hadn't had an appointment with her before.

She was going through the checks of all my teeth and her assistant was taking notes etc. I have a bridge across one of my front teeth, she asked how long I'd had the bridge, I said, "About thirty years - it was rugby".

"Oh" said she, "What position did you play?"

"Prop", I answered"

She said, "I used to play prop, that's why I have bite mark on my cheek"

Should this be in the Joke thread?

[inactionman]

I see. Just not attend meets called by various programme and function directors, it's an interesting idea. Not one that's likely to keep me in a job for long, but at least I'll be free to get up from my desk whenever I want.

I'm fascinated as to how zoom/teams has impacted working and culture now that it - in many organisations - has almost completely replaced physical meets. My current employer has always had an 'interruptible' culture where people are encouraged to contact those who can help and for those who can help to respond. This has the unfortunate side effect of random zoom meets being dropped into diaries, to the point that many now have to actually block a meeting over their lunchtime - previously where co-located you'd stop by desk and if they're free you'd talk, if they weren't free you'd come back later. The issue with the zoom invite is that an empty slot in a diary does not mean free or not busy, or that it's convenient. On top of this, most diaries work in 30 minute chunks, so my day rapidly becomes a set of 30 minute meets back-to-back.

I could, of course just decline meets, but all the meets are to at least some degree relevant. All that's really needed is an etiquette to check with people before booking them into meets, which is simply basic courtesy but frequently gets missed.

In terms of physical environment, my office set-up is pretty decent, I've been a contractor for a decade so I've always bought my own kit and - given tax breaks - I generally buy decent stuff. I got a Herman Millar chair from an office outlet (which I'd heartily recommend) and have the 32" 4k screen and all the gubbins. Despite all this, the fact remains that sitting at a workstation and staring at a screen for extended periods is simply not good for you. At all.

And yet, millions are capable of doing it.

I'm not picking on you but I've managed staff remotely all through covid, and been at the beck and call of C-level people.

They would be mortified to realise that a person is stuck at their desk all day. Loads are down with walking meetings, etc - I personally use a standing desk and move between 3 positions over the day

When working from the office, I would never be sat at the desk all day - it's your choice to do it.

And millions aren't. It's almost like everyone's situation is different, and some are in situations that aren't of their making.

In terms of the bolded, you'd hope that would be the case.

The problem isn't generally with C-level as they are - as a pretty much universal rule - very efficient with their time. It's usually with middle-upper management levels, particularly in floundering projects, where concerns over burnout and work/life balance can get a bit lost. Making sure staff get up and exercise and get a decent lunch break aren't usually top of their agenda when deadlines are looming, and it's these types of meet I (and many in my organisation) get dragged into. I could opt to not attend, but you can imagine what gets reported upwards when we don't show up to a meet on a strategic project that is going wrong. Also, I quite like being involved in fixing problems so I don't actually mind the firefighting - it's really just the notable lack of discipline around diaries and calls on people's time I'm flagging.

This current contract is quite an exception, and to be honest many of the challenges are caused by an immaturity in aspects such as enterprise architecture and portfolio management which leads to loads of firefighting - if the projects were more correctly positioned life would be easier. There is no quick fix to this sort of thing, unfortunately. More immediately, there is definitely a culture of last minute diary filling which zoom has made worse - much like email and mobile phone meant many people found themselves 'always on', the fact someone is not physically present is no longer an impediment to booking them in. This is the bit I really think needs challenging, as it should be a relatively quick fix to set guides and standards.

Anyway, it's all an interesting study, and I'd reinforce that this current contract is quite exceptional in this regard.

[Tichtheid]

I went to the dentist yesterday, I hadn't had an appointment with her before.

She was going through the checks of all my teeth and her assistant was taking notes etc. I have a bridge across one of my front teeth, she asked how long I'd had the bridge, I said, "About thirty years - it was rugby".

"Oh" said she, "What position did you play?"

"Prop", I answered"

She said, "I used to play prop, that's why I have bite mark on my cheek"

Should this be in the Joke thread?

Seeing it written down I realised the ambiguity in the word "cheek".

Women's rugby can be rough, my daughter played at Uni and the stories she came back with were way worse than my memory of the student game. I was genuinely shocked at the idea of biting someone, and to do so so hard on the face that it leaves a scar is awful.

In 20 years of playing I was bitten once, and that was during a game in the lower leagues in France which was notorious for violence at that time.

[mat the expat]

And millions aren't. It's almost like everyone's situation is different, and some are in situations that aren't of their making.

In terms of the bolded, you'd hope that would be the case.

The problem isn't generally with C-level as they are - as a pretty much universal rule - very efficient with their time. It's usually with middle-upper management levels, particularly in floundering projects, where concerns over burnout and work/life balance can get a bit lost. Making sure staff get up and exercise and get a decent lunch break aren't usually top of their agenda when deadlines are looming, and it's these types of meet I (and many in my organisation) get dragged into. I could opt to not attend, but you can imagine what gets reported upwards when we don't show up to a meet on a strategic project that is going wrong. Also, I quite like being involved in fixing problems so I don't actually mind the firefighting - it's really just the notable lack of discipline around diaries and calls on people's time I'm flagging.

This current contract is quite an exception, and to be honest many of the challenges are caused by an immaturity in aspects such as enterprise architecture and portfolio management which leads to loads of firefighting - if the projects were more correctly positioned life would be easier. There is no quick fix to this sort of thing, unfortunately. More immediately, there is definitely a culture of last minute diary filling which zoom has made worse - much like email and mobile phone meant many people found themselves 'always on', the fact someone is not physically present is no longer an impediment to booking them in. This is the bit I really think needs challenging, as it should be a relatively quick fix to set guides and standards.

Anyway, it's all an interesting study, and I'd reinforce that this current contract is quite exceptional in this regard.

At the end of the day, if you're a contractor, you're your own boss and it's up to you to make changes if you're unhappy

I'm a Program manager on contract - I know exactly how it works.

[tabascoboy]

Orkxit?

Orkney council to look at proposals to become territory of Norway

The Orkney Islands could change their status in the UK or even become a self-governing territory of Norway under new proposals. A motion will go before the council next week to investigate "alternative forms of governance".

Council leader James Stockan said Orkney does not get fair funding with its current relationship within the UK. He wants to look at Crown Dependencies like the Channel Islands and overseas territories like the Falkland Islands.

He suggested another possible future could be like the Faroe Islands - which is a self-governing territory of Denmark.

Councillor Stockan told BBC Radio Scotland there were many areas where Orkney was being "failed dreadfully" by both the UK and Scottish governments.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... d-66066448

[GogLais]

Orkxit?

Orkney council to look at proposals to become territory of Norway

The Orkney Islands could change their status in the UK or even become a self-governing territory of Norway under new proposals. A motion will go before the council next week to investigate "alternative forms of governance".

Council leader James Stockan said Orkney does not get fair funding with its current relationship within the UK. He wants to look at Crown Dependencies like the Channel Islands and overseas territories like the Falkland Islands.

He suggested another possible future could be like the Faroe Islands - which is a self-governing territory of Denmark.

Councillor Stockan told BBC Radio Scotland there were many areas where Orkney was being "failed dreadfully" by both the UK and Scottish governments.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... d-66066448

Can’t be @rsed digging it out atm but I thought there was something about Orkney being the best place to live in the UK?

[Enzedder]

It's a mistake to assume that working conditions in one workplace will be replicated in others. Different philosophies are one thing but you generally find a weird sort of 'evolution' of early practises or habits by a small group of original staff members will have rendered a working environment unrecognisable to those used to different regimes or even offices within the same company.

I wish you buggers would stop swearing all the time. These 4 letter words have to stop.

I mean, "work" is just being totally classless.

[SaintK]

Always thought there would be issues here longer term, as she always came over as a very needy chancer in interviews!
I wonder just how much of the funds rsaised has actually gone to good causes?
The Charity Commission's report should make interesting reading.

It has emerged the Ingram-Moores requested planning permission for a "Captain Tom Foundation Building", which was "for use by occupiers... and Captain Tom Foundation", according to documents submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council in August 2021.
The plans included a spa pool, toilets and a kitchen, which the Design & Access and Heritage Statement said was "for private use".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england ... 6100178

[Hal Jordan]

Maybe invest into a sit/stand desk? They're getting more reasonably priced, even the electric motor ones.

I've got one at work, and we took delivery of one for the office at home (box room) last week. I have bad knees so can highly recommend, even if you're in good shape.

[PornDog]

Maybe invest into a sit/stand desk? They're getting more reasonably priced, even the electric motor ones.

I've got one at work, and we took delivery of one for the office at home (box room) last week. I have bad knees so can highly recommend, even if you're in good shape.

I have what looks to be this exact model - https://www.gostand.ie/products/desk-to ... n-800-ergo

Great yolk all together.

Always thought there would be issues here longer term, as she always came over as a very needy chancer in interviews!
I wonder just how much of the funds rsaised has actually gone to good causes?
The Charity Commission's report should make interesting reading.

It has emerged the Ingram-Moores requested planning permission for a "Captain Tom Foundation Building", which was "for use by occupiers... and Captain Tom Foundation", according to documents submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council in August 2021.
The plans included a spa pool, toilets and a kitchen, which the Design & Access and Heritage Statement said was "for private use".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england ... 6100178

Doesn't surprise me in the least - but why oh why are scumbags always so fucking greedy? I mean why didn't she just syphon off a few grand here and a few grand there, hidden away as admin charges or something. But oh no - she needs a fucking swimming pool!!!!

[Blackmac]

I see Elle Edwards murderer has been sentenced to a minimum of 48 years. England's courts certainly know how to sentence when it comes to scumbags like this.

[fishfoodie]

I see Elle Edwards murderer has been sentenced to a minimum of 48 years. England's courts certainly know how to sentence when it comes to scumbags like this.

Things I support about the US system is consecutive sentences, & multiplication of the tariff, where aggravation factors are in plan:

e.g.
- Guns involved 2x the time
- Gangs involved 2x the time
- >3rd Offense, no Parole, no way, no how !

I know there's always a concern that if sentencing becomes, "too harsh", then the scumbag may decide that they're just as well being hung for a sheep as a lamb; but is there any evidence that the worst offenders ever go thru that thought process before this kind of calculated violence ?

It should be said, I do also support reducing the number of offenses people are gaoled for, & where there are factors in mitigation, then a reducing scale should also apply, to encourage 1st offenders, to never become 2nd offenders.

[Uncle fester]

Maybe invest into a sit/stand desk? They're getting more reasonably priced, even the electric motor ones.

I've got one at work, and we took delivery of one for the office at home (box room) last week. I have bad knees so can highly recommend, even if you're in good shape.

I have what looks to be this exact model - https://www.gostand.ie/products/desk-to ... n-800-ergo

Great yolk all together.

Hmm interesting. Was thinking of getting one of the desks from Ikea but something like that might be more practical.

[PornDog]

what manner of impediment is there to typing while standing up?

[Uncle fester]

We did a study in work as every waster in the place wanted a desk with a motor in it and quelle fucking surprise the ones we did get were not used to the tune of 85%. When the lazy wfh bastards discovered they couldn't type standing up they never darkened the door of the up button again. And before one of you cunts start telling me about its benefits you are lying. What you are really doing all day is lying on your couch watching Friends and munching on snacks

Cheapskates in work proposing these.
https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/p/gladhoejde ... -20541610/

[tabascoboy]

Jesus H Christ

[Uncle fester]

Why are you posting daily hate clickbait headlines here?

[tabascoboy]

While I shouldn't be surprised at the desperate depths they plumb for clickbait, somehow I still am. Don't know if that a good or bad thing...

[mat the expat]

Maybe invest into a sit/stand desk? They're getting more reasonably priced, even the electric motor ones.

I've got one at work, and we took delivery of one for the office at home (box room) last week. I have bad knees so can highly recommend, even if you're in good shape.

I have an Omnidesk - it's great

Get an Anti-fatigue mat if you are standing for more than an hour

[Hal Jordan]

Not Captain Tom

She absolutely stank of that peculiar British chancer filled with desperation that you see in some monied people. Like the mothers husband in Succession. Brexit Britain types.

The perfect harmony of WW2 and the NHS.

You anti sit stand desk plum.

[Niegs]

[tabascoboy]

^ AI generated road design...

[tabascoboy]

Slovak police caught a guy speeding on an e-scooter at 118 km/h (68 km/h over the speed limit) - genuine apparently and posted on their Facebook. In theory they should be speed limited but the trick is buying a legal one and modifying the firmware that blocks the speed under a limit. There are dubious shops that do this quickly

[Openside]

Jesus H Christ

Surely its not the vagina that is the bonus hole - erm just saying...

[robmatic]

Slovak police caught a guy speeding on an e-scooter at 118 km/h (68 km/h over the speed limit) - genuine apparently and posted on their Facebook. In theory they should be speed limited but the trick is buying a legal one and modifying the firmware that blocks the speed under a limit. There are dubious shops that do this quickly

I'm not sure that's a good idea. I've seen someone faceplant on one of these fairly innocuously and even at low speed it was quite messy.

[fishfoodie]

Slovak police caught a guy speeding on an e-scooter at 118 km/h (68 km/h over the speed limit) - genuine apparently and posted on their Facebook. In theory they should be speed limited but the trick is buying a legal one and modifying the firmware that blocks the speed under a limit. There are dubious shops that do this quickly

I'm not sure that's a good idea. I've seen someone faceplant on one of these fairly innocuously and even at low speed it was quite messy.

Well as long as they have an organ donor card, it's all good.

[tabascoboy]

Slovak police caught a guy speeding on an e-scooter at 118 km/h (68 km/h over the speed limit) - genuine apparently and posted on their Facebook. In theory they should be speed limited but the trick is buying a legal one and modifying the firmware that blocks the speed under a limit. There are dubious shops that do this quickly

I'm not sure that's a good idea. I've seen someone faceplant on one of these fairly innocuously and even at low speed it was quite messy.

It is rather potential Darwin Award material for sure, how do you turn safely with those small wheels even at limited legal top speed of ~25 km/h? Can't make out if the guy has a helmet on but likely not.

[average joe]

He's bound to see his arse. I doubt those come out with sufficient braking power for those speeds.

[Sandstorm]

He's bound to see his arse. I doubt those come out with sufficient braking power for those speeds.

It’s electric, the motor provides braking when you come off the throttle. Still a very dumb idea.

[average joe]

He's bound to see his arse. I doubt those come out with sufficient braking power for those speeds.

It’s electric, the motor provides braking when you come off the throttle. Still a very dumb idea.

Why do you think electric cars still have disc brakes?

[Sandstorm]

He's bound to see his arse. I doubt those come out with sufficient braking power for those speeds.

It’s electric, the motor provides braking when you come off the throttle. Still a very dumb idea.

Why do you think electric cars still have disc brakes?

Wot? The electric motor provides braking IN ADDITION to the wheel brakes. More than a combustion engine is capable of.

[tabascoboy]

Apparently there is one model on the market that has reached 82 mph / 132 kmh, and the blurb talks about "hydraulic Weped brakes, regenerative braking" whatever that last thing is.

It's a very expensive specialist model though and hardly for day-to -day use