Advice please network manager - technician struggle

[danIT]

I currently work as an IT technician in a school alongside a netwrok manager and assistant network manager.

 

The network manager is directly responsible for me, and the assistant is there to supervise. Currently the assistant spends more time calling me to fix problems he has no idea of solving. The network manager sees himself as more of a IT manager, than network, choosing to role out software and systems at leisure, with not consultation with colleagues or ourselves. His attitude is that he provides software and that is as far as his support goes. IF a member of staff has problems using a piece of software aslong as it functions and it is the user with the problem he does not see this as his problem. but instead we are left with the backlash of introducing new software and new systems with no consultation.

 

His job descriptions specificallly states that he must provide adequate training and support for technicians in order to maintain efficient and effective support of the network. He takes a lot of time off, and we lack the direction needed to support the network correctly during his absence. When he returns from absence he never wishes to know about problems and lack considerations when allocating work.

 

If he thinks of a job today its done then, regardless of outstanding jobs or problems.

 

ok now im ranting.....im sure there are other it support people out there who have experienced a similar situation. Even the headteacher has spoken to me about the state of the network if the current manager was to leave. IF he left we would be in real trouble, as his setup is completly in his head, although we have diagrams of layout and ips documentation regading setup is lack.

 

 

Can anyone advice me of a route to take to rectify problesmd of this nature sensitvly?

[StewartKnight]

at your own leisure, work out everything you need to know, but do it on the quiet.

 

save the documents on your own flash pen as well!

[wesleyw]

We have a similar problem here because I've recently moved the network over and the documentation as it were is all in my head. Having said that when the technician asks me how to do things I tell him and I'm in the process of creating a very large document that covers everything about the network. I'm also trying to arrange an hour training on a Thursday afternoon from 4 - 5 to help the technician understand the new system this however isn't of much help to you I think your concerns are well grounded having an NM that doesn't help you or train you in the basic running of your network is stupid and judging from your description I would say he does it because he wants to keep his job secure and that he's a lazy sod by all accounts his job description would also be interesting reading if he's not following it then he's in breach of contract? Would this be correct? Stewart has a good point I think you need to get as much info as you can on the network and reverse engineer how it works. If they fire him and get a new NM then if he/she is any good they'll be able to figure out the system so getting rid of him isn't such a worry!

 

Wes

[indiegirl]

You're in a similar situation to me (in fact if I didn't know better I'd say that you'd just described my daily battles!).

 

Bit by bit, I have retrieved the information I need to know. Like Stewart says - get everything down that you can regarding the network, get down everything you know into documents (as there's two of you it lessens the workload). Keep these separate - preferably password-protected - and away from prying eyes. Every time you have to do something, write it down - that's my main way of learning a setup. I don't think you fully know how a network hangs together until you've been in a role for at least a year - there's always little bits that keep appearing to surprise you.

 

I also keep a 'diary' of incidents (such as rudeness to staff, refusal to do certain jobs, etc). I won't do anything with the diary - it's there to back me up if anything blew up (which it won't because I would have to instigate it), but I wonder if it would be worthwhile doing something like that yourself in case of any grievance procedures the NM may try to bring against the school and you two...

[danIT]

It seems like a constant struggle to get information out of him. Recently a network boot CD I built and developed to do exactly what we need was given to him by me, he found it really useful and we have now used it for over a year. I ask him to return the source so I can work on another similar project but he pretends he no long has it and that ill have to work it out again for myself. Quick search of his documents presents the source to me in a clearly labelled folder, even with my initials.

 

He has applied for a number of jobs over the last year or more, every time a new job comes up or interview come along he introduces a new system, structure, piece of software to include in his new proposal for a different school. I believe his is using this school as a experiment to further his own career. I actually found a document which he had left at the printer on one of his days off, which was a letter to a school detailing all he had done for the school and how great he was.

 

Makes me sick, it’s like he works single handed.

 

He shares nothing, everything is a big secret and we don’t need to know. He doesn’t manage me or my colleague. Worse than this he actually discusses my role within the department not with me but with other teachers, they obviously report back to me.

 

My other gripe is that teachers and staff constantly tell me how helpful I am, how good I am at my job, constantly asking for me instead of anyone else. This again puts a strain on me and resources; I can only help some many people!

 

Its no longer a joy to work here but a constant struggle.

 

Hang on just gotta answer the phone that has been pushed in my directions “because its for you”

 

Even though he has no idea who it is!

[danIT]

oooh just got a new netowkr diagram on the wall!

 

i think hes getting ready for a move to be honest, headteacher is going to speak to him about

 

2.8. To be responsible for the training and direction of technical assistants in support of the efficient and effective use of the school network.

 

2.11. Undertake support for all users wishing to further their knowledge and skills on any application or device that may be available on the network.

 

he also hands this over to us also, he wants no part in this!

[john]

I feel for you Dan, I know exactly what you mean, and to be honest, when I was a NM I was very much the system is my baby, but you have to be prepared to let it go, either by you leaving, accident, or heaven forbid - death. When I did this at my last place and everything went "tits up" within 2 days of me giving the info and passwords over I gave over caring and let it smoulder. But its not fair on your and your colleague to be like this.

[kingswood]

I've had the same situation where I am for two years. It's horrible. THis year I got promoted *over* my NM to Senior Systems Manager- I think in the hope that he would calm down and think carefully about his position. Not. He is worse! He still tells me what to do, works part-time, and SIMS (traditonally his baby) has become a complete nightmare and I have to support it now woth no training, passwords and many access rights for my account just not there. Try that.

 

So now my workload has quadrupled and my pay only risen by a small amount- for all the stress, sleepless nights, and hassle I get during the week!!

 

I feel for ya.

 

The network doesn't belong to any of us- if it is the possession of any one entity that would be the school. If IT wasn't hard enough already in schools it's made harder by paranoid technicians and NMs who worry more about whether they look *geekier* than the next technician over in "that other place". You see it in some schools too- "we're the technical people here- so bow" and it's crap. Because if people have to act like that they aren't who they say they are anyway.

 

Me.Close()

 

Sorry for the rant. This topic rubs me up the wrong way :-(

[budgester]

I've had the same situation where I am for two years. It's horrible. THis year I got promoted *over* my NM to Senior Systems Manager- I think in the hope that he would calm down and think carefully about his position. Not. He is worse! He still tells me what to do, works part-time, and SIMS (traditonally his baby) has become a complete nightmare and I have to support it now woth no training, passwords and many access rights for my account just not there. Try that.

 

Sounds like you need to do an appraisal for him :-)

 

And a little chat, explaining the situation and how things would stand if you had to go about disciplining him, and the fact that he is withholding the passwords.

 

I would start by getting him to put all passwords in a sealed envelope that can stored in the firesafe, just in case he gets taking down a dark alley and doesn't make it into work.

 

Also your gonna need to do a weekly/monthly password check with this document to make sure he doesn't change them without updating that doc in the firesafe.

 

If he refuses to do this, which I would consider is a reasonable task, then I would issue a verbale warning, (of course clear this with your line manager first)

[budgester]

When I did this at my last place and everything went "tits up" within 2 days of me giving the info and passwords over I gave over caring and let it smoulder. But its not fair on your and your colleague to be like this.

 

Incremental training from the NM to the Techs, as you are training them make sure they document how to do things, then question them on it to make sure they understand, then if they balls it up don't fix it immediately but sit with the person who ballsed it up and work through resolving the problem with them. Make the think/sweat earn there money.

 

Then hopefully the same mistake will not happen again, sometimes this can feel like swimming through treacle, but you are gaining management skills along with a more competent group of staff.

[danIT]

I had no idea this was such a wide spread problem.

 

It all boils down to a civil and professional working relationship.

 

My network manager doesnt leave the office ever.

 

Currently he keepos trying to change his job title the head wont allow this, from network manager to IT manager, a completly different job title with a different job description. Of course he follows the job description of a IT manager but fails to realise we dont have anetwork manger for him to mange and impliment his stratergies?

 

This place is like work experience for him, implementing this we dont yet require, have a use for or the expertise in the staff, and being so releuctant to train us or staff in the use of this new technology i can see no other reason. Its just something else to write down on his CV?

 

Maybe ill upload his accompanying letter and comment on how many things he says he does but doesnt, im sure i cud strip the 3 A4 sides down to a paragraph!

[wesleyw]

More like a sentence by the sounds of it! I think he fails to understand the term Team?

 

 

Wes

[danIT]

Quote:

 

"To work in an ICT management post one requires a variety of skills, personal, interpersonal and technical. I believe my outgoing personality, technical expertise, analytical and communication skills, team working ability and my educational qualifications make me a strong candidate for such a position. These qualities, combined with my flexibility and dedication, should enable me to make a valuable contribution to your esteemed organization. I believe that I have the necessary management and organisational skills to effectively contribute to objectives in a school environment whereas my good lateral thinking skills and analytical nature together with my extensive knowledge of information technology will help me successfully meet the needs of the post."

 

he talks the talk, but walks like a clown!

[StewartKnight]

Hey I like it, I think I'll stick that on my CV too!

[Netman]

 

"To work in an ICT management post one requires a variety of skills, personal, interpersonal and technical. I believe my outgoing personality, technical expertise, analytical and communication skills, team working ability and my educational qualifications make me a strong candidate for such a position. These qualities, combined with my flexibility and dedication, should enable me to make a valuable contribution to your esteemed organization. I believe that I have the necessary management and organisational skills to effectively contribute to objectives in a school environment whereas my good lateral thinking skills and analytical nature together with my extensive knowledge of information technology will help me successfully meet the needs of the post."

 

 

We had a word for that in the forces.... bullsh!t

[Joedetic]

That sounds EXACTLY like the guy we had. He joined the school with the head of ICT from his old school and started work on the network rebuild...we'd just become a technology college and had the funds for a whole new e-learning centre and a big network rebuild etc.

 

He rebuilt the network and it ran fine...then it started getting worse...and worse and worse.

 

Problems with incorrectly setup roaming profiles amongst other things lead to severe instabilities.

 

He started coming into work on a less frequent basis (when he was meant to be full time!).

 

So in the end he quit before he could be sacked. There were a lot of issues with him and he was the type with the documentation all in his head...when he'd had plenty of chance to put it to paper/electronic form.

 

Anyway, so two-three years after him joining the school, he left. And then we had a full rebuild of the servers etc and since he's left we've had tonnes more stuff happen.

 

At the time he left so did the ICT technician (for a better paid job more to his suiting) and that left me...the VI form techie and the head of ICT.

 

In that month or so when there were no technicians, just us, we got more done than they had in three months!

 

All the persisting tickets in the fault log got cleared and even completed a couple of new projects.

 

It's amazing what can get done when you're not relying on a useless network "manager" for guidance.

 

Seriously though...this guy couldnt "manage" to script a batch file properly!

[alonebfg]

just as a word on this i have just joined a union i have never been in one befor but working in the enviroment we are in someone i know was in the same postion he said that it was the best thin he did. When he explaned what was happening to his rep they helped him out.

I also know someone who got accused of assult of a student as well because he told her not to bash the keyboard with the mouse. He ws supported and case dropped as she was caught on camera bashing herself befor reporting it. They seem to help in many ways might be able to help you here if it gets too bad.

[GrumbleDook]

I've had the same situation where I am for two years. It's horrible. THis year I got promoted *over* my NM to Senior Systems Manager- I think in the hope that he would calm down and think carefully about his position. Not. He is worse! He still tells me what to do, works part-time, and SIMS (traditonally his baby) has become a complete nightmare and I have to support it now woth no training, passwords and many access rights for my account just not there. Try that.

 

Paul, if you need any of the training materials give me a shout. I have spares of most of them now and will get spares of the new stuff as I get them from .ICT ... and if you are short of access right then give Anne or June a call to take control or help you create a new super-user.

 

So now my workload has quadrupled and my pay only risen by a small amount- for all the stress, sleepless nights, and hassle I get during the week!!

 

I feel for ya.

 

The network doesn't belong to any of us- if it is the possession of any one entity that would be the school. If IT wasn't hard enough already in schools it's made harder by paranoid technicians and NMs who worry more about whether they look *geekier* than the next technician over in "that other place". You see it in some schools too- "we're the technical people here- so bow" and it's crap. Because if people have to act like that they aren't who they say they are anyway.

 

You? Geekier than me? oh ... you mean the **other** place ..

 

Me.Close()

 

Sorry for the rant. This topic rubs me up the wrong way :-(

 

Don't worry mate ... next friday, 4.30 ... Spread Eagle ... I'll give Andrew a ring and drag Stephen down too. My round.

[john]

When I did this at my last place and everything went "tits up" within 2 days of me giving the info and passwords over I gave over caring and let it smoulder. But its not fair on your and your colleague to be like this.

 

Incremental training from the NM to the Techs, as you are training them make sure they document how to do things, then question them on it to make sure they understand, then if they balls it up don't fix it immediately but sit with the person who ballsed it up and work through resolving the problem with them. Make the think/sweat earn there money.

 

Then hopefully the same mistake will not happen again, sometimes this can feel like swimming through treacle, but you are gaining management skills along with a more competent group of staff.

The person in question was the IT co-ordinator / assistant head, he said he only had 1hr to spend as he "knew what he was doing" with compuer and how hard can it be to run a server (this from the person that kept logging off the NT server, and everytime a kids accoutn didnt work, instead of a password reset which was the obvious answer to the problem of logging on, he would just make a new account (one kid had 14 accounts when I started!) So if he didn't want to learn then what could I do, and I mentioned the issues that were starting to manifest, and he was oh its probably your fault, despit the logs showing it being restarted, logged off and on etc lots when I was not even on site, let alone in the area! So I just gave up, it wasnt a nice place to work so I am glad that I left. From the frying pan and into the fire comes to mind now though

[alan-d]

Don't worry mate ... next friday, 4.30 ... Spread Eagle ... I'll give Andrew a ring and drag Stephen down too. My round.

 

Is that the same Spread Eagle up the road from what was Simpson Bks? Now a housing estate I believe

 

Aaaaahhh - memories

[Dos_Box]

You guys wern't chunks were you?

[NetworkGeezer]

This thread has strayed a bit. At least no one has mentioned ironing I suppose

[alan-d]

You guys wern't chunks were you?

 

and proud of it - even when forced to join the AG crap - I mean corps :?

[Dos_Box]

I worked with Defence Coy at 1 (BR) Corps for 4 years. Excellent guys.

[alan-d]

I worked with Defence Coy at 1 (BR) Corps for 4 years. Excellent guys.

 

Other than the odd Ex I never did BAOR - except for 3 years at SHAPE Most are gone now swallowed up by RLC

 

Progress?? - nah!