• 11 Jun 2024, 1:30 p.m.

    This sounds a lot like tory promises. It's almost as if they are from the same playbook.

  • 11 Jun 2024, 1:32 p.m.

    I don't think I'll be around long enough due to other changes that were already ongoing anyway. Any good opportunities or changes the wrong way will come too late.

  • 11 Jun 2024, 2 p.m.

    When ATG founders Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire were finally bought out by an American firm (whom a Talkbacker might work for) we thought that they would provide a more stable business structure, but at what cost? We soon found out as they began removing everyone who had worked their way up through theatre to head office and replacing them with 'business brains' who had never worked in theatre. And we know they hadn't because every time they appointed a customer insight analyst or a food and beverage director - on bigger salaries than anyone venue based - they would e-mail everyone, everywhere to tell us all about them. And it seemed they were genuinely baffled by what we did backstage because unlike box office, front of house or marketing we provided no revenue for them. Being a vital part of the product that enabled them to sell tickets and overpriced refreshments seemed to escape many of them. And of course there came the inevitable restructuring - an opportunity offered by Covid closures - to try and reduce numbers. I saved them the bother by jumping. And I'm glad I'm out.
    Though I still remember the newly appointed F and B director e-mailing everyone, everywhere on his first day to introduce himself as 'the food and beveridge' director.
    50k+ a year and the fucker couldn't even spell his own job.

  • 11 Jun 2024, 5:39 p.m.

    In my attempt* to leave teaching, I've applied for two jobs and got two interviews. Both are lower level managerial positions with little responsibility, both pay at least 80% of my teaching salary. It is crazy how underpaid the teaching profession is.

    In other news, Powys County Council are advertising for theee teaching assistants, £12.80/hr. They're also advertising for school cleaners, £14.00/hr.

    *I've already given notice, so the attempt is successful, getting a job yet to be nailed.

  • 13 Jun 2024, 12:55 a.m.

    Just having a vent, so feel free to "TUP"/ignore etc.

    I'm at an interesting point in my job/career. I left a great job at a big bank (by NZ standards) to do something similar at a smaller one, helping bring them into a far better anti-fraud position. They don't have anything like the same tech or analytic competence which is no surprise to me. I am not some well-paid big-hitter, or even on the same sort of moneyt as an equivalent IT bod, but I do have a Liam Neeson-esque certain set of skills.

    The thing is, the CEO is starting to make pronouncements about all the money they'll be saving, even though I have made it abundantly clear that patience is kind of essential. And at the same time, my team is letting me know that they don't understand my work (which is, unfortunately, why they had to hire me).

    So I'm feeling the weight of the bank on my shoulders a bit right now. I'm happy and confident with what I'm doing, in the full awareness that if/when this goes tits up, it will be mostly legacy infrastructure rather than my stuff. Saying which, if this goes well, then I'm definitely hawking my CV to richer banks in sunnier climes.

  • 13 Jun 2024, 1:35 a.m.

    Are you members of FS-ISAC? There online community is pretty strong, with a high level of knowledge sharing, I know several in your area of specialisation who have been able to make a move, partly based on the reputation they earned among the community, not that you necessarily want to move but…

  • 13 Jun 2024, 2:30 a.m.

    I'm not, but will look into it. It's the best role I've ever had and am happy to keep doing it. Just not necessarily where I am

  • Squad
    16 Jun 2024, 5:09 p.m.
  • Squad
    16 Jun 2024, 6:07 p.m.
  • 16 Jun 2024, 6:51 p.m.

    Worldnet (the annual IFC tournament) this year is being held on a park in Doncaster. We politely declined the invitation to attend.

  • 16 Jun 2024, 7:09 p.m.

    That clip pops up every so often and I must watch it a dozen times every time!

  • 18 Jun 2024, 6:50 a.m.

    This morning I have request for a quote on a t-shirt and fleece that runs to 1306 words (I pasted it into word as I was curious).