Stuck on Reception...

[rad]

They decided that all staff who work 5 days in the holiday have to work a day on Reception.

 

As a Tech who works in the holidays, they decided at this school rather than getting staff in and paying them overtime they would ask the staff who are in anyway to sit on reception for a day. Well today is my day, and I have sat here for 30 minutes and already I need to run around as i am bored siting down.

 

Currently remoted to the server moving and creating users, but it isn't the most exciting job in the world.

 

Anyone else had to do a reception duty?

[IanT]

I find that very odd, i would laughed and refused!

[Butuz]

Not my job mister!!!!

 

Butuz

[tech_guy]

I'd do it, but they might not be happy with the way I answered the phone. For the first hour I'd answer as characters from the Monty Python films. Then I'd switch to the cast from Father Ted. After that I'd try gangsta rap. I think it would pass the time.

[rad]

Its great answering the phone ****** school, good morning!

 

Everyone is ringing regarding either exam results/exam remarks or admissions. Might as well have an automated answer machine, thats what I am!

[localzuk]

I've sat in on our reception a few times. Usually plenty to do via remote desktop though, so never really got bored. I do dislike being interrupted though, so definitely not a job I like to do!

[webman]

Like this? YouTube - IT Crowd Answering Machine

[sidewinder]

Doesn't seem like a particularly good use of your time! Granted you can do plenty via RDP but still, I doubt you can get much done if the phone is continually ringing

[Jamman960]

Does the desk need to be manned physically or is it mainly just answering phone calls? here our bursar is currently handling any calls from his office, the front door just has a "please use other door..." sign up(nearer to the bursars office) - we're a reasonably small school though... we could easily redirect it to one of our dect handsets also if required.

 

James

[rad]

It does need to be physically manned as the school is open for school uniform and sales (art/maths stuff etc) we also have workman on site signing in and out etc.

 

Bored now...

[Edu-IT]

Just have a loud bell in reception with a sign telling people to ring bell for assistance.

[Cache]

Our reception is shut and is only open on the two days the exam results are released.

 

Even better is that since we had a new system installed at half term, I've found out that you can't dial any extension when it's diverting the calls to say we're shut as 2 pauses the message. Guess what all our extensions begin with?

 

On the other hand, it's been very quiet when I've been in which makes a change.

[AyatollahPies]

Sounds like a great excuse to play Solitaire all day.

[somabc]

Why don't you put one of the teachers on reception?

 

Oh yeah they have a well organized union...

Edited August 23, 2010 by somabc

[elsiegee40]

Reception duties are mine in the snow as I live within 10 minutes walk of school and our secretary lives 20 miles away.

 

In the holidays, the answer-phone does the job... though I do listen to the messages if nobody else is in, just in case there is something urgent (and it stops the wretched machine from bleeping every 2 seconds!)

[Mr.Ben]

During the Snow last year all of us that live within walking distance were called in to cover the Residential Staff (who had been here for two days solid). I agreed and they gave us all an extra day of holiday!.

 

As for doing it or reception as part of my regular duties - no chance!

[oalcock]

I used to do it in one of my previous jobs, I really enjoyed it as it was a change from my yearly IT routine. I do agree with EDU-IT, you could have a "ring for assistance" bell.

[rad]

Days work finished at 3.30, wasn't the most exciting day, actually I prefer sitting in my office doing nothing, at least I can escape and tour the school every now and then.

[mrbios]

Sounds like you want a phone system that automatically redirects during the holidays after X amount of rings, ours redirects to the admin office after a few rings, if that doesn't answer it goes to the heads PA. The only other reason to have a person on reception is for deliveries but all our local delivery men and women know to come to the admin office or our office.

[rad]

We have visitors/workmen as well as stationary supplies to sell from Reception as well as answer the phone.

 

Last week there were no admin staff in, hence the requirement for staff to man reception.

[Iain.Faulkner]

I'm spending today in our reception area, partly to be helpful as there are no admin staff in today (on results day!?! who's bright idea was that?)

 

However, I'm finidng it quite a nice change, plus my office has flooded twice over the summer and stinks, so I'm much preferring being in a nice well lit office with natural light that doesn't smell, even if I have to answer phone calls and redirect students, plus it means I can get most of my desk based work done.

[srochford]

plus it means I can get most of my desk based work done.

 

I think that's a win for most people - being stuck at a desk means you can get on with documenting all those things you never get time to do :-)

[techtopia]

I find that very odd, i would laughed and refused!

 

You might want to check your contract before you do. Many that I've seen or had, contain a clause stating that you are obligated to carry out other tasks which are reasonably requested of you. Sitting on a Reception desk answering phones is reasonable, clearing out blocked drains is not (for example).

[localzuk]

You might want to check your contract before you do. Many that I've seen or had, contain a clause stating that you are obligated to carry out other tasks which are reasonably requested of you. Sitting on a Reception desk answering phones is reasonable, clearing out blocked drains is not (for example).

 

Fraid not, that clause has been shown at various tribunals to mean 'in emergency' and the like. ie. if the school is missing half its staff and needs a cover person, it is reasonable for them to ask you to do that. Manning a reception desk during a period of time that always occurs, every year? That is poor planning by the school.

[browolf]

As the expert of all things technical, it's never bad to experience other people's jobs. You're the one person with the imagination to think up more efficient technical solutions.