anothernickname Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 Hi all, I am a regular user of Edugeek, but wanted to put this under another nickname. I'm sure someone would still be able to figure out who I am if they really tried, but it adds a level of mystery. Last February our network manager went. In August (big gap, long story) I applied for the post myself. I didn't get it as I didn't 'have enough management experience', despite me and my colleague running the department very well for six months, and me being in charge of an apprentice for longer than that, but OK fair enough. In October a new manager was finally appointed. I assure you this is not sour grapes as it isn't just my opinion but she is useless. Her IT skills are appalling and she can't manage either. It's not even as though she is weak in a particular area so a bit of training would help, she's just hopeless. Examples include; Spent around two hours on and off trying to connect two laptops to the wireless network. I looked and the wireless just wasn't turned on. She didn't know what print server was. SIMS wouldn't open on someones laptop because it couldn't find the connect.ini file on the s drive. She didn't have an S drive mapped. She was setting up a student laptop. She said it was finished but hadn't installed anti-virus, any windows updates, video driver or the windows 7 product key, but had installed ActiveStudio. She has asked me today, three months after starting, if one of our suites is running Windows XP. Everything in the school runs Windows XP and she has been told several times. The list goes on. She is not on a probationary period. We are becoming an academy in September. Am I correct in thinking that if I raise this, it's just going to make her aware we think she's rubbish so make the working environment more uncomfortable? A month after she started I mentioned it to one of our deputy heads as I didn't want to get told in six months time 'Why didn't you mention this before?' They won't sack her will they? They'll drag it on and on over months. Any help more than welcome! Me
laserblazer Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 If it's anything like here, then SLT probably think the sun shines out of her @rse and she can do no wrong. Do you have a Head of ICT who is savvy enough for you to turn to?
anothernickname Posted January 31, 2011 Author Posted January 31, 2011 As far as I'm aware, SLT don't really have an opinion on her, but the deputy I raised it with is obviously SLT and I know he did tell the Head too. Head of ICT is a great believer in 'Oh it'll be fine'.
dwhyte85 Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 Ask for a discreet chat with your managers LM and the HR lady. If nothing is said, nothing will be done - they will see that things are running and therefore, she is doing her job.
mthomas08 Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 Yeah, have a good quiet chat with a member of the SLT team. Give them the examples that you have given here, why did they employ this person? What did the CV say? I honestly can not believe a network manager was employed and struggles with all of that, that to me is all basic Techy work I could do blind folded.
tech_guy Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 How do people get these jobs if they're not up to it?! The fault has to be with the interview selection / process. 1
dwhyte85 Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 Consultants who sit on in the meetings getting it wrong or advice from technicians being ignored?
pantscat Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 Keep a log of all the 'silly things' she does - times, dates, time spent on tasks (in a subtle fashion though!). Raise your concerns with anyone in SLT who you feel comfortable to do so. I've seen this sort of thing many times before... it's a sad fact of life that some people can talk the talk, but they get everyone else to do the walking. You're doing nothing wrong by raising your concerns, if you were in SLT you'd want someone to make you aware of this, wouldn't you?
anothernickname Posted January 31, 2011 Author Posted January 31, 2011 Her LM is also the Head of ICT who's the one which always says 'It'll be fine'. I'm logging all the mistakes. She got the job partly because I was one of the other applicants so they didn't run CV's etc past the existing IT department due to fears of us being slightly biased. The people who saw the CVs which I'm aware of were the Head (no technical knowledge at all and happily admits that), her LM (who thinks he knows about IT and doesn't) and a governor who works for BT. I'm just a bit wary that raising it will be a fruitless exercise and just cause more friction, particularly if we're becoming an academy in 7 months time and who knows what they'll do with us all when they get here!
Popular Post Little-Miss Posted January 31, 2011 Popular Post Posted January 31, 2011 Wow, sounds like the IT Crowd! Hand her a box and tell her its the internet! 6
witch Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 She got the job partly because I was one of the other applicants so they didn't run CV's etc past the existing IT department due to fears of us being slightly biased. The people who saw the CVs which I'm aware of were the Head (no technical knowledge at all and happily admits that), her LM (who thinks he knows about IT and doesn't) and a governor who works for BT. That's appalling - after all they wouldn't expect a non-teacher to interview a teacher or assess their ability to teach. They could have asked the tech department of another school to take a look at the CVs - having removed the names first. What about references? She must have had them? Did she work locally? It *may* be that she appeared to have very good management skills and they decided that as they have very good technical skills (that'd be you) that management is what they needed?
sonofsanta Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 If you went for the job they may see your complaints as sour grapes, so if others are aware of her limitations (IT teachers, maybe) it might be worth having a quiet word with those you can trust to put a word in as well. Careful who you trust in schools though, politics is all too important in these places still
LeMarchand Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 How do people get these jobs if they're not up to it?! The fault has to be with the interview selection / process. I read an interview with a woman who was in quite a highly paid job that she'd worked up to by fabricating her CV. She'd see a job she thought she could do and basically lie her way into it. Apparently she only once got a post where she found it difficult to cope due to not actually being as qualified as she was claiming. Perhaps this is your NM's time for that. Anyway, my sympathies. Been in a similar situation (minus the useless person being hired instead of me part) and it doesn't exactly boost your confidence. Mind you, in my case my first replacement came in, announced he was leaving (for his old job) and when the regional manager (who I really didn't get on with) turned up to berate him he said everything I and most of the other managers wanted to say to the RM as he didn't need any sort of reference!
rad Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 I agree about keeping notes and a record of things, it makes it easier later to refer if needed, also you don't want to be a snitch as you didn't get the job you applied for. Why not question her about her past, bring it into a conversation somehow with the other Tech, for instance asking if she has had to do any disaster recovery, or the time someone asked for the downright stupid. Sounds daft but it will open up issues or give a view as to her past.
MK-2 Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 To be honest .. Id stick to my job and let her stick to hers. but sh!t runs downhill, so her not doing her job properly could be perceived as you not doing yours properly. had exactly the same situation at my last place, woman brought in as our manager as she was a friend of a teacher, had no IT experience at all (and formatted our DC server over one summer as it was "making a funny noise"). and i know how annoying it can be (as i'd applied for the role too and missed out due to the same reasons!) when you think "so she is more qualified than me in this job, worth more money than me, yet cant do the job". the thing is not to let it get you down too much. follow the advice of people on here, make it known that you are still doing your job properly, that you are waiting for instructions from your new boss, etc.
anothernickname Posted January 31, 2011 Author Posted January 31, 2011 I've asked her about her past and her previous place she was the IT technician and had an apprentice. Prior to that she was an IT tech in a team of three and I have since spoken to that manager and he was amazed she'd got this job, which I may be able to use! One of the problems I have is that I don't like providing a bad service, but with her there I'm finding it hard not to. I think I'll be alright with people seeing whether I'm doing my job OK as I've been there three years and I'm known and (as far as I'm aware) liked. To the people who have PM'd me - I can't send you PM's back yet as I've only just registered this account and I need to make five posts before I can send PMs. I will do when I can though and thank you for your messages. Thank you to everyone for their replies in fact! Me.
Little-Miss Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 It had to be a woman though didnt it! *mumbles about her letting the side down*
sparkeh Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 Did she previously work on the new HMRC system
witch Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 It had to be a woman though didnt it! *mumbles about her letting the side down* Well, not really - there have been many tales of incompetent bosses on here - most of which have been men... 1
mthomas08 Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Well, not really - there have been many tales of incompetent bosses on here - most of which have been men... HEY! How comes us men get insulted I am only kidding, I have a big sense of humour... Need it in this job. I would do what others suggest, make it known you are doing your job, keep an archive of your work? I personally would talk to the boss and try and get out why she was employed. Perhaps it was more on her expertise and not the IT side? Manager experience? I went for the same job that the guy here got and I must say, he wasnt totally clued up on the top level of IT but he did bring in a lot of good things and as a result we both worked much better together. I think even the head is shocked how well things have become as a result of me and him being more in charge and responsible. I got a promotion and then the head of the Dept left, the new guy became Head of our support and I became the network manager. Between us both we do a brilliant job I deal with the servers, he brought in some good IT experience. He was not the best qualified out of the new guys (I met them all and agreed this guy was the best). I also asked the current head of our dept if I could check out all the CVs and recommended the guy. It was also the reason I got promoted for being "Mature and Professional" instead of worrying about the competition. So it might be a good idea to find out why she was employed? must be a reason.
bossman Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 @mthomas08: I totally agree with you and commend your level of professionalism which has got you into the position you have at the moment. Yes we can all say things about the people around us but you have to look to yourself and no man is an island and people do feel pain but one has to become positive and realise that not one person knows it all and that is why we have forums like this one to offer help and guidance to everyone who asks. @anothernickname: I empathise with your situation but try to be positive about this, just imagine how this person feels, she could be out of her depth but she needs the support of all those around her not someone who thinks because they know more about IT than this person that they should make that persons life uncomfortable. Get to know this person better and take her into your confidence and maybe she might just realise what a mistake she has made and either resign or make things much better for you in the long run. I agree if she is totally incompetent then you have a duty to point out these things but not before you have had a chance to get to know her properly. Make a clean start and get to know her before passing judgement you may be in for a shock.
anothernickname Posted February 2, 2011 Author Posted February 2, 2011 She's been here nearly four months now, we know her fairly well and my colleague and I are very open, welcoming people and helped her out no end when she started. I don't want to start getting to know her again if it's going to take another four months or more. As far as I can tell she doesn't feel out of her depth as she seems blissfully unaware of anything. I like to think I have a wide knowledge, but crucially I know where my weaknesses are. She doesn't. When she can't figure out a that a network printer won't print because the LAN cable isn't plugged in there is only so much you can do!
pooley Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Unplug a few printers, pc's etc, go sick for a coule of days. Come back to everyone knowing how cr@p she is and you can be the hero that fix's everything within minutes
anothernickname Posted February 8, 2011 Author Posted February 8, 2011 Just had a meeting with her LM and the head and guess what........? They think she's brilliant and is taking the school in the right direction and I'm not giving her enough of a chance and need to be more supportive. She's only been here four months and I need to move on from the idea of the previous post holder being here. Sorry but there's being "supportive" and then there's "carrying"! Oh well, looks like nothing will be done as it doesn't need to be. Jobserve here I come......
anothernickname Posted May 4, 2011 Author Posted May 4, 2011 For anyone who remembers this........ it has had an outcome! To her credit, SHE realised she couldn't do the job and has left! Shame really as she was a nice enough person. The head still thinks she was wonderful and tried very hard to convince her not to go.
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