[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference kernel::csguk_systems

Title:CSGUK_SYSTEMS
Notice:No restrictions on keyword creation
Moderator:KERNEL::ADAMS
Created:Wed Mar 01 1989
Last Modified:Thu Nov 28 1996
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:242
Total number of notes:1855

23.0. "Rota, food, money, shifts, money, money....." by KERNEL::BARTLEY () Fri Mar 31 1989 20:58

One day in the not-too-distant future we, (meaning the systems group, I think)
will be having a Grand Everyone-included (well almost everyone) meeting to 
discuss the shift rota AND RELATED ISSUES.

I bring this to everyone's attention now so that we can all arrive at the 
meeting with ideas ready for the fray (discussion).  It might be useful to have 
a preliminary discussion in this notesfile just to get the ideas flowing.

The sort of things that might be seen as related issues are:

Exactly what should the systems group be trying to do?
How should we be doing it?
What manning levels do we need in order to do this thing?
What sort of shift system do we want?
Who should be doing the 'connects' and the 'notifies'?
What part is SDD going to play?
Etc. - whatever else we think should be included?

I would like to see a radically different shift system where I work nights in a 
block of 2 or 3 or 4 weeks, maybe 4 nights on and 3 off, or better still,
permanent evening shift.

I also believe there is real value in considering how we can use all our 
wonderful modern technology, like modems and things, to work from home on a 
standby (or permanent overtime) basis.

A rough calculation shows that we need about 27 engineers.  We actually have 
about 17.  If this situation is going to persist, it is imperative to find 
satisfactory ways (like working from home) of allowing 17 people to do the work 
of 27, without serious health implications.  We need more fun.  Personally I 
think a lot more money would be fun.

Anyway that's just food for thought.  Speaking of food - where should we dine 
after the meeting?

Regards,

Theo.

PS. I would like to have the meeting on a Friday night when not too many people 
have to go to work at 07:30 the next day.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
23.1**** RDC AND THE "FUTURE" !! ****KERNEL::GARNETTMon Apr 03 1989 05:4017
       I AGREE WITH "ALL" OF THEO'S COMMENTS (THAT MAKES A PLEASANT
    CHANGE.....DOESN'T IT !!!). OUR CURRENT 24 HOUR SHIFT PLUS FILLING
    THE GAPS DUE TO MANPOWER SHORTAGES MAKE EXCESSIVE DEMANDS ON OUR
    "FREE TIME".
       THE NEW 16 HOUR SHIFT IS ALMOST UNWORKABLE WITHOUT EVEN MORE
    DEMANDS ON OUR "FREE TIME". I BELIEVE THE 24 HOUR SHIFT HAS GOT
    TO RETURN TO A SIMILAR SHIFT TO THE OLD 45% SHIFT BUT WITH MODS
    THAT WONT HURT THE "HIGH MORTGAGE" PAYERS (LEAVE THE PREMIUM AROUND
    58%).
    
        I LIKE THE IDEA OF A FRIDAY EVENING AT THE "ROMANS..SILCHESTER",I'M
    GLAD YOU SUGGESTED IT....THEO !!!!
    
    NIGE
    
    
    
23.2I agree(as always)KERNEL::EDMUNDSWed Apr 05 1989 02:2521
    
    Hello Nige Sir.
    
    Hows the nights going?
    I agree with Nige-because he's a T7.5,and I'm basicaly an agreeable
    kind of chap.
    Except I dont think that the 16 hour shift is unworkable,it just
    means lots-a-luverly overtime for those of us that dont like the
    wife!
    Seriously though,we have not really seen the impact of a devices
    shift on our workload yet....though I'm sure most of us expect it
    to increase,due to less systems people on evenings,and possibly
    at the weekend.
    I think that opinions and idea's on the possibilty of a new shift
    system would be very useful,the single shift idea seems very attr-
    -active.
    Also I would just like to mention that Nigel's choice of venue has
    nothing to do with the fact that he can walk home from there!
    
    Steve T(ask Ken Robb)
    
23.3T100 (HEX)KERNEL::BRAINEWed Apr 05 1989 02:459
    I thought it only right and proper to join the notes file, and put
    forward my constructive thoughts and/or criticisms at this point.
      What a wonderful forum this is! As an aid to ironing out the wrinkles
    of the shift system etc,I feel that we should do our best to contribute. 
      So after careful analysis of call flows I'd like to make the following
    suggestion:
    
               Why not put 4 devices people on at the weekend, at least
    they'll be able to play Bridge during the long hours.
23.4OOPS!KERNEL::BRAINEWed Apr 05 1989 02:472
    BEFORE you all tell me.......T100 (BIN)
    
23.5KERNEL::WRIGHTONTriggerThu Apr 13 1989 13:0211
    
    
    I heard on the radio this morning that Trevor Francis , manager
    of Queens Park Rangers FC had suggested that his players wives should
    have their babies induced so as to fit with the clubs league and
    cup schedules . He had already fined one player two weeks wages
    for attending the birth of his child instead of going to training.
    
    I wonder if such a scheme could work here :-)
    
    Dave W
23.6HUH??KERNEL::HUTCHINGSInsert witty comment hereThu Apr 13 1989 13:363
    Good Idea...!!
    
    Have babies between logging calls...could catch on you know..!!
23.7larger than systems or devices or ...KERNEL::WOODWARDIf you've got an itch, scratch itTue Apr 18 1989 12:1024
    FLAME ON
    
    Why do all the teams in the CSG need to do their own thing with
    shift/overtime/.....?
    
    Where is a coherent policy to cover the complete Group ?
    
    When will we do something to rationalise the mess that has been
    brewing for some time with all parts of the CSG going their own
    way, claiming their own rates and potentially not offering the service
    the customer requires/pays for ? 
    
    FLAME OFF
    
    Up in this corner, where life passes by at a more relaxed pace (cos
    we're so efficient at our jobs of course ;-)  ) we are also guilty
    of wanting to sort out our own shifts etc. However, this issue seems
    too fundamental to the operation of the CSG as a whole to not address
    the Group requirements.
    
    How can this be done?
    
    Steve (I feel inquisitive today)
                                                 
23.8*** WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS ??? ***KERNEL::GARNETTTue Apr 18 1989 12:379
    I AGREE STEVE....YOU COULD HAVE BEEN MISLED IN TO THINKING THAT
    THE "TREND" HAD BEEN WELL ESTABLISHED BY RDC HAVING WORKED "24 HOUR"
    SHIFTS FOR SOME 10+ YEARS.
    
    I OFTEN WONDER WHY WE JUST GO ON RE-INVENTING THE WHEEL AND CONSISTENLY
    FINISHING UP WITH YET ANOTHER "SQUARE ONE" !!!
    
    NIGE
    
23.9KERNEL::WRIGHTONNo dump? No errlog? No chance!Fri Jul 28 1995 13:2334
    
    Subj:   Modifications to BABAGI class since: 25-JUL-1995 01:15:30.11
    
    
    Directory BABAGI::LCA:[SPECS]
    
    RZ29B.DIR;1                                      1/16    19-JUL-1995
    10:37:56.00
    TEMP.DIR;1                                       1/16    26-JUL-1995
    12:58:53.00
    
    Directory BABAGI::LCA:[SPECS.RZ29B]
    
    MODEPC.EXE;3                                    62/64    21-JUL-1995
    11:25:58.00
    MODEVMS5.EXE;8                                 130/144   21-JUL-1995
    11:49:29.00
    MODEVMS6.EXE;6                                 129/144   20-JUL-1995
    11:35:26.00
    MODE_ALPHAVMS.EXE;1                             28/32    25-JUL-1995
    15:42:35.00
    SCU.;2                                        2960/2960  20-JUL-1995
    14:42:03.00
    SOLUTION.HLP;7                                  10/16    21-JUL-1995
    11:43:08.00
    
    
    The following files for BABAGI were deleted:
    
    BABAGI::LCA:[SPECS.RZ29B]MODEPC.EXE;2
    BABAGI::LCA:[SPECS.RZ29B]MODEVMS5.EXE;7
    BABAGI::LCA:[SPECS.RZ29B]MODEVMS6.EXE;5
    BABAGI::LCA:[SPECS.RZ29B]SCU.;1
    BABAGI::LCA:[SPECS.RZ29B]SOLUTION.HLP;6
23.10KERNEL::WRIGHTONNo dump? No errlog? No chance!Fri Jul 28 1995 13:2411
    Subj:   Modifications to CXDOCS class since: 14-JUL-1995 01:24:09.17
    
    
    Directory CXDOCS::PROD$:[PUBLIC.STORAGE_WORKS]
    
    B259.SRC;2                                    1564/1566  19-JUL-1995
    11:34:37.00
    EK-HS1CP-IG-B01A1.JOU;1                          0/3     26-JUL-1995
    05:57:02.00