Posted on 01/07/2007 2:07:36 PM PST by Dallas59
Black tape has been put on the desks of civil servants to show them where to put their pens as part of a £7m Government 'efficiency' drive.
It is the latest idea from consultants being paid to come up with so-called innovative ideas to improve the working environment of public sector staff.
The tape is also used to mark out exactly where the computer keyboard should be placed, as well telephones. Previous novel thinking by the consultants included a desk ban on family photographs - along with any 'inactive fruit'.
Staff representatives described the idea, which is being piloted by hundreds of staff who process National Insurance payments, as 'madness'. They point out that shift workers share desks - so must repeatedly adjust the black tape, depending on the length of their arms.
But Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs - which is paying consultants 7.4m for so-called Lean programme - said the tape would help to keep desks clear of clutter. Officials said it is 'much better to work in a tidy work environment where everything has its place'.
A HMRC spokesman, attempting to defend the outlay, said: 'Part of the Lean processing is to clear the workplace and only keep essential items to hand. 'This is in line with the workstation ergonomics training that all our staff receive and complies with the display screen equipment regulations (2002).
'The markers on desks are used to demonstrate that it is much better to work in a tidy work environment where everything has its place. Staff involved have confirmed they prefer the tidier workspace.'
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), more used to its members being bound-up in red than black tape, disagreed. It said asking staff to place tape on their desk in order to keep a pen in the right place was 'demoralising and demeaning'.
PCS branch secretary Kevin McHugh, who represents workers at the huge Longbenton National Insurance complex, in Longbenton, near Newcastle, said it would lead to endless re-arranging of desks.
He added: 'If the person coming in after you has longer arms, he will have to move the markers," he said. 'This office has been open for 60 years and people have managed to find their pens and staplers without consultants helping them in that time.
'Marking the desks tends to get members upset sometimes when they've got personal photographs on their desks and they have to move them around. 'But to tell the truth, once Lean moves on to the next office people tend to ignore it.'
Last year, it emerged tax collectors subject to the same Lean project had been ordered to take down photographs of spouses or children as it may make them unproductive. Managers at HM Revenue and Customs offices in North Wales were told staff to tidy up their desks and remove their family snaps.
According to a leaked memo, it was supposed to encourage 'efficient business processing'. The edict also banned workers from keeping food on their desks and restricted them to just one cup, pen and pencil.
Fruit was only allowed if it was 'active' - jargon for whether or not it was about to be eaten. So-called 'inactive' fruit was outlawed. PCS members in HMRC centres across the country took strike action last July as the Lean system - which the union claimed leads to "de-skilling" of civil service work - began to be introduced.
A further work to rule protest followed in October.
Yes, "inactive fruit" can be a problem. But I worry more about active fruits...the ones who ask, and tell.
Where do I apply? I'll make up similar nonsense for only $10 Million US dollars.
"when I was a lad I did my turn as office boy in an attorney's firm...I polished up the handles so carefully, that now I am the ruler of the Queen's Navy." Gilbert and Sullivan sized them up just about right. If it doesn't bother the Brits, however, then spending a few pounds for some consulting work by establishment fellows to help recompense them for the confiscation of their hereditary estates may be okay; welfare money is necessary at various levels of the economic and social strata lest all manner of horrible sorts end up partying or dining with the royals and such-- but mind you, spend no consulting money for the former colonists anywhere.
FMCDH(BITS)
"I would NOT make a good government employee."
Well, actually, 'Lean/Six Sigma' was first practiced in the private sector. It's now one of the 'new initiatives' being adopted by the government to raise efficiencies. My boss keeps threatening to send me to 'Lean/Six Sigma' training. I keep threatening him with all my work he would have to do if he does. Pretty much a stand-off.
Not to mention horny as hell!
Wowsers!! How can I get in on this boondoggle? I know where the chair goes in relation to the desk. That should be good for at LEAST 2 million pounds!!
The theory is not new. But, have employees devolved to the point that they need black tape?
That, to me, is an insult to intelligence
Your Boss should be commended on his sense of humor! There are some who think so little of their employees that they'd really send them!
Its been my experience that people ignore them everywhere after said consultants have moved on. I really wonder why companies waste time and resources on such petty things.
This is a prime example of the creative ideas consultants come up with. None of which is useful.
I had to do a six sigma project 3 times a week for a month. Complete waste of my time, especially since I had to go finish all my regular work in 5-6 hours instead of 8 because I was wasting time with their paperwork BS.
Where do these ideas come from?
i always get a "lean desk" by picking a random pile of papers and placing it in the circular file, then repeating until the desk is "clean" - works like a charm!
Ah the celebration of rules over reason! Can our extinction be far away?
The true artist sees order in chaos.
LOL An artist I am not.
I've had bosses describe that as the paleontology method of filing. That project was active when trilobites were alive so the paperwork should be right here ... [ pulls out report on project from deep in a pile]
Having spent a good part of my career as an eefficiency consultant I can tell you that these consultants are way off base.
This is a total waste of money.
"I had to do a six sigma project 3 times a week for a month. Complete waste of my time, especially since I had to go finish all my regular work in 5-6 hours instead of 8 because I was wasting time with their paperwork BS. Where do these ideas come from?"
Don't you know, management is just trying to give you the tools to be more effective? My office just appointed a very senior level staff position to implement six-sigma office wide. You have no idea how much I look forward to that.
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