I used to love my job. Not so long ago I was sat in my own little office, with a window that opened. The view was cr*p but it was mine. I worked for just one ‘department.’ I was having a quiet moment, the students were all busy, and I was catching up on some research and having a quiet coffee, and thinking to myself: I love my job.

The building I had my own office in has now been demolished. I share an office now and get no peace and quiet. I can’t open a window because I work with a foreign national who still isn’t used to our colder climate. I can be sat here in a blouse (and trousers of course!) and he’ll be sat there in a coat shivering. How can I possibly open a window when faced with that? I now work for 3 different departments, all with different needs including some who need their ‘hands held.’

I’m also a health and safety manager, and have to routinely report on the safety of the building I work in. I also have to read reports that staff have completed, detailing any issues they have with their IT equipment, and have to sort them out - man there’s some I’d like to sort out ;) and order new equipment as I see fit. The number of staff I do this for is growing. Seriously, we’re talking hundreds of staff!

Now I’m also expected to train students to do my bloody job! It’s a pet project of one colleague and we’re all expected to toe the line, and give the students some work experience and a taste of what we do all day. Give me strength! This is all on top of my existing duties, with no extra time allowed for it, nor any extra pay. Excuse me while I quietly have a nervous breakdown…

Another one bites the dust: I heard today that yet another member of staff is leaving. There’s a real feel of Us and Them here, and for every one of Us that leaves, I can just see Them rubbing their hands in glee. This colleague is a real gem, so helpful, and he’ll be sorely missed. He was due to lose his job next year, so he’s pre-empted that and has got a job elsewhere already. Same goes for our security staff; they’ve left in droves due to losing their jobs next year when we move. This place truly sucks, and I can’t see it continuing in this vein and still managing to keep going.

Our department, as a whole, has had so much sick leave. If everyone is having more and more work piled on them like I am, then it’s little wonder. My fear at the moment is that with IT staff leaving, we Technicians will be expected to pick up the slack. That or we’ll have to report issues to central command, and then take the flack because issues aren’t being resolved quickly.

Don’t mind me, I’m just tired and grumpy, and feeling the pressure. I’ve had cramp in my shin since Thursday night, and it’s still sore and keeping me awake. The windy weather isn’t helping either and I’m hoping the weather will quieten down very soon.

Just over 4 weeks until the Easter break and I’m counting the weeks. I’ve booked 2 weeks off, and I can’t wait :)