Work Rants

[Gibbon]

It's wrong to stereotype people by their nationality, particularly if you only have limited dealings with a small number from that country. However, Americans...

[Rover the Top]

I suppose I should be thankful I've not been bombed or incarcerated without trial yet. Then again, even if there wasn't a dispute they'd still shoot at me, in a friendly way...

[Dan]

Relatives?

[Rover the Top]

It was on QI over the weekend, gibbons are the only other member of the ape family that walk on two legs. It obviously was enough to confuse the Americans into voting for one. And whilst I'm slagging off a nation over the slightest provocation, why is it that American TV and films insist that Canadians pronounce "about" as "aboot"? I work with Canadians, I've been to Canada and stayed with a family in Toronto... I've not come across anyone that does that in real life?

[Ethiaa]

:lol:

It was on QI over the weekend, gibbons are the only other member of the ape family that walk on two legs. It obviously was enough to confuse the Americans into voting for one. And whilst I'm slagging off a nation over the slightest provocation, why is it that American TV and films insist that Canadians pronounce "about" as "aboot"? I work with Canadians, I've been to Canada and stayed with a family in Toronto... I've not come across anyone that does that in real life?

I've met a few who do. My relatives who live over there do not however. Suspect it's a regional thing.

[Gibbon]

Relatives?

What the hell man!? THINK before you insult an entire species! Jeez!

[Rover the Top]

British Gas. Last Wednesday I typed out a long email to explain that electricity invoices they said hadn't been paid had been paid, but they'd allocated the money against the wrong invoices and so their records were fucked up. I've not had a reply yet. Today, we've got a letter from them saying they're sending us to debt collectors for not paying for our gas. Except we have, and the cheque has cleared with the bank.

[Rover the Top]

Work references: what a complete waste of time. Just been asked to do one for some kid who worked here during uni holidays a few years back - I only remember the name because he had a personal number plate on his little hatchback. Firstly, they've asked for it to be emailed back, then sent a pdf that can't be filled in on screen. And secondly, it asks stupid questions. They want to know what salary he was on - I can't think how that could be relevant and just seems like they're being nosey to me. And they want to know what his strengths and weaknesses were - I only remember his fucking car, it's not like we keep a record of how good or bad every employee has been at every aspect of their job. Maybe that's unusual?

[Savory]

Work references: what a complete waste of time. Just been asked to do one for some kid who worked here during uni holidays a few years back - I only remember the name because he had a personal number plate on his little hatchback. Firstly, they've asked for it to be emailed back, then sent a pdf that can't be filled in on screen. And secondly, it asks stupid questions. They want to know what salary he was on - I can't think how that could be relevant and just seems like they're being nosey to me. And they want to know what his strengths and weaknesses were - I only remember his fucking car, it's not like we keep a record of how good or bad every employee has been at every aspect of their job. Maybe that's unusual?

chill winston!

i dont think references are a waste of time, the person needs it to get their job, i feel sorry for him his reference has ended up with you!

if you dont know his strengths and weaknesses then make them up and be positive about him (unless he was a cunt)

[Rover the Top]

In theory they're not a waste of time, but that's only if they're realistic about the amount of information that other companies are going to retain about ex-employees. I handle our personnel files, so all reference requests are passed through to me. I don't think it's going to be that rare that questions about an employee who left a number of years ago aren't going to be answered by someone who knew him personally. I've answered the standard questions, ignored the stupid ones.

And he may well have been a cunt, he had a personalised number plate on his first car...

[Gibbon]

The fact that it's illegal to give a bad one DEFINITELY makes it a waste of time in my book. Although you can still be damning with faint praise.

[mrblackbat]

Work references: what a complete waste of time. Just been asked to do one for some kid who worked here during uni holidays a few years back - I only remember the name because he had a personal number plate on his little hatchback. Firstly, they've asked for it to be emailed back, then sent a pdf that can't be filled in on screen. And secondly, it asks stupid questions. They want to know what salary he was on - I can't think how that could be relevant and just seems like they're being nosey to me. And they want to know what his strengths and weaknesses were - I only remember his fucking car, it's not like we keep a record of how good or bad every employee has been at every aspect of their job. Maybe that's unusual?

chill winston!

i dont think references are a waste of time, the person needs it to get their job, i feel sorry for him his reference has ended up with you!

if you dont know his strengths and weaknesses then make them up and be positive about him (unless he was a cunt)

I don't think you're legally allowed to make up references....

[Rover the Top]

The fact that it's illegal to give a bad one DEFINITELY makes it a waste of time in my book. Although you can still be damning with faint praise.

I think it's illegal to give a bad opinion in a reference. I don't think you can get into trouble for giving factual details if you were specifically asked for them, eg if asked about punctuality and the person was an hour late every day.

[theadore]

yes - its fine to state facts but not to make subjective comments like 'lazy'

[Gibbon]

Ah well. That's a little better then.