to jack it all in and go and work in Waitrose?

[AtYourCervix]

Work is shit.

Parking is shit. I have to leave an hour before I need to to get a space and they charges are increasing by about 400% soon.

The IT department is run by monkeys who do not understand that I need certain access and will not give me the right stuff. I have been trying for an entire year now.

we are on our knees working as hards as humanly possible, trying to do our absolute best and then yesterday we were told we are having our numbers cut and will have to do the same amount of work with one less person.
I am scared someone will end up dead. I am scared that I will not do something important. I know that I will not be able to do what I need to.

[reallytired]

I wanted to purchase a 5m Cat 5e network cable

www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=326983&CatId=1777

We had a network printer not working and the old network cable looked as if it had been chewed by mice.

The deputy head asked to find 3 quotes and write out a case on how the purchase of a 5 metre network cable supported teaching and learning. He also wanted more concrete evidence that the network cable was faulty and not the switch box. (I had already tested the network cable with my laptop)

My manager also insisted on me ordering things individually rather than a batch of cables for general maintaince. It was ridicolous as the costs of postage was more than the cables.

I feel a bit defensive of IT engineers in the public sector as they often have to put up with the same levels of stupidity.

[spudulika]

OP - don't leave!

Women need you. They really do.

[sorry for the emotional blackmail....]

But seriously - can you not insist on working to rule for a while? It's not safe for women and babies when midwives can't do their jobs properly.

[MugglesandLuna]

My Dad works at Waitrose

He loves it :o

[spudulika]

Cervix - any chance of going independent?

My friend did this. She loves her work now.

[Tanif]

"IT departments are always run by power-crazed, self-centred monkeys who don't realise they are there to oil the wheels and serve the staff providing the front line cutomer service."

Just showed this to my IT Manager DP. He laughed. Bitterly.

[purplepidjin]

Yanbu. I work in care and would get better pay and conditions as an unqualified supermarket worker.

Your pain is felt

Ps I blogged about it, pm for linkie

[Doodlez]

I'm going to amend my initial statement about IT departments:-

As for the IT department - SOME OF THEM go to a special, secret school to learn how to be twats. IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHICH IS ALL I KNOW, THEREFORE, ALL I HAVE TO BASE MY OPINION ON, they are not ALWAYS called the IT department at all - they're SOMETIMES called the Business Prevention Unit!

[Smellslikecatpee]

I read your OP and thought I bet she?s in the NHS. . .


I escaped about 3 years ago thank God. Which is of no help to you, sorry. . .
Is there any possibility of going private/ independent?
Or a group of you doing this?
Wasn?t that one of the proposed ideas a wee while ago? Or as usual has that had lots and lots of money spent on it and then just as it was a go-er got pulled?


I work with 2 other NHS escapees; we still are amazed how well we are treated here on the outside


BTW Sainsbury?s are very good to work for too, they have a good discount card (10% off everything) and run extra discount months(15% of everything, very often in November very useful for Christmas) too.
Worked there P/T as a student, friend son there now, are very good to him. OH?s Mum works for Tesco they?re a bit shit but then she does take the Michael a lot!

[trafficwarden]

AtYourCervix I have just resigned after realising my sanity was more important. I am lucky enough to be in the position that financially it is not a disaster and my DH is very supportive. But I am so sad that I am leaving the job I love (and I'm good at it!) because management just don't have the interests of women at the core of their business. Should add I am no longer in the UK but I know my friends/colleagues in the NHS are also at breaking point. I wish I could write something to put the spring back in your step but I know how demoralising the system is.
Hope you find something else to do. Shame nothing will compare to the satisfaction of doing our job well

[Balsam]

I know nothing about midwifery so please excuse me if these suggestions are unhelpful.

Could you be a community midwife? The ones that visit people in their homes? No parking charges and you can manage your own workload more. Still get to do home births.

Is there a private maternity hospital you could work at?

Can you go into teaching - training other midwives?

Trying to think of things that are in your field still, as you say you like it, but with different working conditions.

[pointydog]

APologies, tanif

I did say later that publc sector IT departments are grossly underfunded for the day-to-day support needs and equipment upgrades/replacements.

ANyway. SOunds like you and your IT boss are skiving

[OpinionatedPlusSprogs]

I have a midwife in the family. Feels the same way as you. It's a hard one as it sounds like it's a job you would love if the working conditions were better. Your health is the most precious thing, if workplace stress is damaging it you probably need to leave.

[OpinionatedPlusSprogs]

"you cant get jobs in waitrose, there are 100 applicants for one post

try Tesco"

Even ASDA has 200 applicants per post round my way. ASDA!!!

[AtYourCervix]

Afetr the whole 'Post-Natal care is crap' stuff on here I was thinking what we were doing wasn't so bad. But it will be with what is about to happen it will be. I am just really really sad about what it is going to be like.

[AtYourCervix]

and I need a whole new thread to debrief about Ikea

[pointydog]

Never go to ikea when feeling anything other than chipper and bouncy. It will only add to your problems.

[InstantAtom]

YANBU. There's nothing wrong with working in a supermarket and I'd rather do so myself than some of the very stressful jobs out there (been there, done that). Only thing that stops me is that others will judge - but realise that's something I need to get over!

[Shitter]

Does anyone work for Waitrose out of interst?

Always wondered if they are good employers.

Also love the name now I know your job!

[globex]

I dream of quitting my job and working in Waitrose too!

[globex]

Just googling Waitrose jobs now..

[paulapantsdown]

Two friends of mine work part time for Waitrose in different towns.

These are both women who had great jobs before kids. They both love working for Waitrose. Staff are treated with respect, gratitude and good manners.

Both of them were one of HUNDREDS applying for each post.

I truly believe that if John Lewis/Waitrose ran the government, this country would be a paradise!

[globex]

There's a job for a cheese specialist!

You have to be willing to undertake study for specialist qualification, and be prepared to spend nights away from home to develop product knowledge!!!

Bliss!!!!

[Shitter]

i gather the interviews for general shop assistant areq quite 'in depth' too

[Insomnia11]

I'm about to give up my job as a lawyer to work a couple of days a week in a local coffee shop, so I fully empathise with your feelings, OP. And run my own business (PT) which involves cookery. I did my training there yesterday and worked a shift cooking breakfasts and making simple meals. It was bloody bliss doing something I enjoy, even though my feet ached. It felt like a 'proper job' somehow if you know what I mean. Something physical, 'proper work'. I am handing in my notice tomorrow. I'm a bit worried about there not being as much money around especially with everything going up so much at the moment but I hope we can make it all work. DH is supportive if a bit worried about money as well. He can see how stressed and ill I've been and how good the new job(s) make me feel.

[poppysweetie]

I would feel lucky to get a job in Waitrose! Staff discount, dont they pay quite well too?