Australia's Science Forum

Rumour has it our Principal is swapping the SAO jobs around. At this stage I am unsure where I will be put. I did not think they would do this to a fully trained labbie. But so I am told they can. Just as well I can type.

You may be able to type but can the office ladies run a science prep room?????
I don't think any of mine could!
What a ridiculous idea.
Sue, I hope your prinicipal comes to his/her senses before mucking everyone up.

Multi tasking is one of those things a Principal likes to do every few years to show who's boss. It provides very little if any practical gain to the running of a school in fact it takes weeks for everyone to settle into their new positions.

Hi Sue
No one will want to go to Science as they think they will blow up the place so I think your safe in Science.
They tried it here and no one would take me up on the offer top move to the office all to worried of what they might do.
Noona

Multi-tasking was tried here a couple of years ago. I didn't want to go anywhere else - I HATE answering phones - and no-one wanted to come into science. So I stayed put. Very happily.

Carol

Thats it Noona!!! NEVER make it look at all easy and let them know very vocally how many near misses (make it up) you have a day and your position is as good as safe!

How could they swap you? You ARE science!

I bet they have a rethink.

What do your Science staff think of that great idea. My staff would lead the riot themselves! Surely they can't want your skills going to photocopying etc. Then there's the French Resistance factor. Don't tell anyone where anything is, and see how long they last! (Evil laugh - ha, ha, haaaaa).

One of the things I love about my job is the solitary nature of it. My normal personality is quite extrovert, however, helping out in the office has taught me quite a bit about myself. For example, I do NOT want the heater on if I am not cold. I may want the air conditioner on but others not. The stupid chit chat and having to learn to be quiet when some office person says something that tears you up inside. I help out in the office probably a few hours every fortnight. That is enough!
Oh, how I love being alone in my lab.
Maree

Oh, Sue - sorry to hear that, so unsettling for everyone.
Sure it can work for the general Admin staff to move around every few years, but a completely different kettle of fish for your position. Just in terms of efficiency, it's a ineffective idea, 'cos you'd find yourself spending most of your time on the phone answering questions, or back over in Science showing the new person where things are or how to do something.

Richard - I'd say it takes years, not weeks, to learn this job competently!

Sue - I guess in the end you've got to go with the flow, but just keep repeating the obvious: you have the training and experience for the position you're currently holding, you'd be more than happy to stay there, and stress how much you enjoy it! Sooner or later the principal will realise it's better to have someone like you in the job, than to expect an admin person to move into it - quite likely to be untrained, unwilling, and unhappy!

Who's going to train them?

My feeling is that in DET schools, both Science and Finance are positions which carry extra responsibility, and so take a person with particular skills and a committment to the job well.
Both should be seen as separate to the usual SASS range of roles, with appropriate T&D.

Hang in there, Sue - lots of us out here feeling for you...

ps. Also have to agree with Maree Here I can please myself (sometimes )

Head teacher is away today. So I will be taking things home, like Solution lists, unwanted chemicals list, and other items I have done to help myself. Disposal numbers etc. And I will go from their. I may forget the keys on Monday, see how long before they ask for the keys.

I think that i am safe in my labs as even when I am away none of the office staff will help out in the Science Department. I help out when ever needed in the front office - if anyone is away they call on me to go up there for lunch breaks etc . but if im away the Science rooms and prep rooms seem to just be left be. I could not go to the front office full time as I find my own company good - in work anyway. I work to my own speed. Some days we ask ourselves what lunch break than we may get an extra long one in a day or two. Im not front office material and they are not Science Lab Assistant material. Lets see who wants to take on your job. See if they know where this and that is kept. And make up 100ml of something with no notice. Good luck. Hope you are not moved.

A swap around at my school wouldn't work, the ladies in the office get paid more than I do, so I cant see any of them wanting to swap with me and drop their pay. And of course, they would have no idea of what to do once they got here.

Maybe you shouldn't type so "goodly"? You know like... several oopses! and remind them constantly that you handle chemical equations and preparation of chemicals in your sleep but getting this typing/filing/answering thing down pat will take a little while.
Lou.

Shall we all take bets as to how long till you are permanently back in science?

I did years of casual before I became permanent, so I'm comfortable in any position in the school. Maybe I'll be Principal next week! Lol!
But none of them put up their hands when I'm away. I think my position is pretty secure. And yes, I like my own company too. And I hate at answering the phone. I'm quite happy down here in my little cave. People come to visit me here because it's warm in winter and cool in summer.
Julie

Update, Science staff all went up to see the principal. And by all accounts told him what they thought. But around 12O/c after the PSA was called, by someone. NO one wants to come to science, so I may just stay where I am. If NO one wants to try science, they can not be made. So I should know more after Lunch.

Thank you every one for all your ideas, thoughts, and I did have a few plans in action.

Keeping my finger crossed for you AND as we do in Sweden I am also holding my thumbs for you Not much work will be done like this, muuhahahahahahaha!

Sassi

Talking about changing job..
My headmaster saw me in the playground at lunch and said:"So, lada this is your last day, isnt it? " I looked blankly thinking OMG, what have I done, or maybe NOT done..Anyway, this blank look must have registered,because he said "You are not coming back on MOn". Then I remembered he must be still thinking of my LSL, which was a mammoth task to get and he thought it was this term. So I put him straight, it was 3 months ago. Few, I live to work another day or week or...
lada

Prehaps you should swap jobs with the Principal even for a day and then they will know that you do valuable work in the science area and will keep you there

Hi
I think any principal that wants to put the office staff in the prep room should be reminded of their duty of care. Our work requires training, we are highly skilled people. At least we have some good networks around so we can acknowledge this even if some senior staff have no idea.
Debbie