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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What kind of fucked-up, dysfunctional workplace is our government operating in?

611 replies

noblegiraffe · 15/01/2022 11:03

Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament? Can't get through the day without a suitcase of wine in Downing Street, drugs everywhere in Parliament? Subsidised bars on work premises?

I guess the fact that they tried to make an exemption for the bars in the Houses of Parliament when introducing a curfew for pubs should have been a warning sign that there's far too much reliance on alcohol in our ruling classes.

There was a lot of talk about standards in public life during the Owen Paterson scandal. Surely not being pissed or high on the job is a basic standard?

Aside from the issue that they couldn't even stop having massive piss-ups during lockdown, AIBU to think that something needs to be done to introduce basic rules like 'If you're not safe to drive, you're not allowed to vote in new laws'?

If you wouldn't be happy with a teacher teaching your kids half-cut and would expect rules to prevent this, why should we tolerate our government ruling the country while making their way through the contents of the wine fridge?

People have been posting 'oh yes, it's always been like this'.

Well it shouldn't be in future.

OP posts:
merrymouse · 15/01/2022 18:33

when did a few drinks become a party

When it is a social event that was illegal at the time.

There seems to be a bit of confusion on this thread.

Boris Johnson is the one claiming that all this drinking in the office was fine, because people were working, not journalists.

Nobody has claimed that no drinking took place - there are photos and emails.

The disagreement is over whether these were illegal social events or whether, as Johnson claims, staff were regularly drinking at their desks while working.

RobotValkyrie · 15/01/2022 18:38

My workplace has a strict no alcohol policy because if any one of us makes a poor decision, people could die (not immediately, but as an outcome, when one of our life-safety products fails)

You'd think that the people running a fucking country would be held to similar standards? Especially during a life-threatening national crisis...

RobotValkyrie · 15/01/2022 18:43

@Hawkins001

Every profession, has the rouges, the go getters, the team leaders, that drive results and agendas, and every person or most, use various strategies to unwind or to ramp up and enhance their abilities, as for the legalities of the various methods, I'll leave that part of the debate for the legal and public relations team to process.
If some fucking weaklings can't get their job done without getting pissed, they should make way for those of us who can. Go-getters my ass. I'd wipe the floor with them anyday. Real driven individuals are powered by RAGE, they don't need chemical enhancement.
Ted27 · 15/01/2022 18:50

I did not say Gavin Williamson personally signed off guidance. I posed a question.

All guidance was signed off by no 10 and the relevant health depts and offices.

Like many other depts, the DfE was left in a position of responding to a public health emergency, we didn't exactly have people with relevant expertise handing round waiting for a pandemic to break out.
The free schools meals did not take 'forever' it took a matter of weeks for a huge project. No it wasnt perfect. But a lot of people worked themselves into the ground to get it up and running at all.
I am not saying the Dept response was perfect, Gavin was a joke. Yes mistakes were made.

after 30 years I've had enough and will be leaving later this year. I will be leaving behind many dedicated people who are trying to do their best in unprecedented circumstances but who are hamstrung by one of the most incompetent govts I've ever worked for.

TheWomandestroyed · 15/01/2022 19:00

@JuneOsborne

It reminds me of fire stations in the 1980s. Often had bars. And parties whilst on duty.

Doesn't happen any more, because it's not acceptable.

Time for a downing Street overhaul. The bar(s) should go and the ethos needs changing.

Yes, I remember the local psychiatric hospital had Bar optics on the wards! This was the 70/80's.
Joined4this · 15/01/2022 19:04

OP, I think you have a good point. EXDH was a teacher and he had to be very careful about drinking outside the home in case anyone saw him and took a picture. Similarly many white collar professionals have to abide by codes of conduct. Why not the people running the country? I like a drink though, so I don’t want to inadvertently bring on strict rules 😁

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 15/01/2022 19:05

Gavin was a joke

Things still shit under Zahawi, tbf.

OP posts:
Original poster
noblegiraffe · 15/01/2022 19:06

The notion of parents feeling uncomfortable at seeing teachers in a pub after work could be solved by schools having a subsidised bar on the premises 👍

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 15/01/2022 19:10

@noblegiraffe

The notion of parents feeling uncomfortable at seeing teachers in a pub after work could be solved by schools having a subsidised bar on the premises 👍
As long as there aren't any chairs for us to sit on. Because we all know it was the sitting in chairs which caused covid to spread.
Peregrina · 15/01/2022 19:13

Am I the only one fed up with these non apologies being trotted out? Of the "I'm sorry I displayed bad judgement" kind. Shouldn't the statement be "I broke the law and will report myself to the Police"?

Tillsforthrills · 15/01/2022 19:14

@noblegiraffe

Pre covid our high street would be full of teachers having drinks together. Can’t think of why this would bother any sane person.

God knows they need it Grin

FrankieStein403 · 15/01/2022 19:16

why should the government drink in the workplace when the rest of us don't! I'm saying that's incorrect.

Yes it's incorrect, but only marginally - today the vast majority of 'us' do not drink in the workplace - in those sectors where it used to be common, finance, publishing, media etc it's dramatically reduced. The Downing St offices are very much an exception in the UK today.

WinnersDinner · 15/01/2022 19:18

Yabu

It's a bit of a silly comparison to teachers

Many workplaces in London have bars, drinks after 4;30 etc.

Hate the tories but this isn't what we should be attacking them for, I've never worked anywhere that doesn't have alcohol as an option for work drinks and boozy lunches on a Friday

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 15/01/2022 19:22

In the public sector in subsidised work bars?

OP posts:
Peregrina · 15/01/2022 19:25

What we are attacking them for is their blatant lawbreaking and attempting to lie their way out of it.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 15/01/2022 19:27

This thread is fascinating though. When teachers complain about their working conditions it's all 'everywhere else is the same, if not worse'. But now it's all 'Everyone stops work Friday lunchtime and gets pissed. Totally normal'. Bit like that thread outraged at a 9am meeting.

OP posts:
WinnersDinner · 15/01/2022 19:29

@noblegiraffe

This thread is fascinating though. When teachers complain about their working conditions it's all 'everywhere else is the same, if not worse'. But now it's all 'Everyone stops work Friday lunchtime and gets pissed. Totally normal'. Bit like that thread outraged at a 9am meeting.
Who has said everyone stops working on a Friday?

You're being ridiculous and it's watering down the already weak argument you had

merrymouse · 15/01/2022 19:31

You're being ridiculous and it's watering down the already weak argument you had

The argument that Downing Street staff shouldn’t be drinking while working?

borntobequiet · 15/01/2022 19:32

watering down

No thanks. Alcohol should be served full strength.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 15/01/2022 19:32

So Winner please make a strong argument about why there should be subsidised bars in the Houses of Parliament that MPs are free to go drink in at any point before returning to vote?

OP posts:
WinnersDinner · 15/01/2022 19:36

@merrymouse

You're being ridiculous and it's watering down the already weak argument you had

The argument that Downing Street staff shouldn’t be drinking while working?

Yes.

I take it many on here haven't worked in the city

It's standard.

Drinks at lunch, bars in the office etc.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 15/01/2022 19:36

I'm public sector and we are not allowed to drink during work time or on lunch breaks. We get no subsidised refreshments such as tea or coffee. And certainly no food, not even at meetings or training days.
This is fine. It's public money.
So why should MPs and Downing Street be drinking subsidised or expensed wine during working hours?

WinnersDinner · 15/01/2022 19:38

@noblegiraffe

So Winner please make a strong argument about why there should be subsidised bars in the Houses of Parliament that MPs are free to go drink in at any point before returning to vote?
No thanks, this is your post and you haven't yet given one solid argument against it

Comparing it to teachers drinking on the job is just laughable

I'm merely stating the truth, that work bars, drinks etc. are quite normal in the city. It's not a Downing Street only thing

Livpool · 15/01/2022 19:38

I worked for the Civil Service and alcohol was banned about 15 years ago so definitely 'do as I say not as I do'

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 15/01/2022 19:46

DH and I work in transport sector - there is zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol.

Yes, I get it that not every work place works safety critical, but at the same time, we were expected to work every day during the pandemic as essential workers.

Total piss take that we had to accept the rules...