How to motivate your staff

[Cautionary Tale]

I've always found archaeologists (including my current employers )to be a quite fair minded bunch, this is how the other half get treated:

Dear All Once again the actions of the minority are going to have an impact on the majority. You are contracted to WORK from 9am not 9:01, 9:02 or anytime after that. WORK does not constitute walking up the stairs – if you want to get paid for climbing then buy a bucket and a ladder and become a window cleaner or go to the Himalayas and become a sherpa. You are paid to be at your desk doing WORK so if you’re not at your desk doing WORK at 9am you are late – no arguments that’s the way it is. Unfortunately for you in my world there are not degrees of lateness you’re either on time or you are late. One minute, 10 minutes, half an hour it makes no difference you have shown a lack of commitment and respect. I would also like to point out that signing other people in when they are not in the building especially when it has already gone 9am is wholly unacceptable and will be punished. So anyone persistently turning up late (see MY definition above) will be subject to disciplinary action in line with the company’s strict disciplinary procedures. I think it might be prudent at this point to remind you that perks such as Company Bonus and Gym Membership are discretionary and can be withdrawn on an individual basis at any time. So here’s two ways to behave and the theoretical associated consequences :-
Example 1 Turn up every day at 8:59am Turn up one day at 9:01am Give a lame (preventable) excuseGet a written warningTurn up at 9:01am againLose your bonusTurn up at 9:01am againLose your job Example 2 Turn up every day at 0845am Turn up one day at 9:10amApologise profusely Get a slight ticking off The choice is yours and yours alone. It’s like a bank account you can’t make withdrawals until you’ve made some deposits in Example 1 you were overdrawn before you even entered your PIN. In the unlikely event that I haven’t made myself clear please feel free to come and discuss it with me – I’d like that ;o) Best Regards



Of the Clan Sutton

[Toby]

forum

/form/

• noun (pl. forums) 1 a meeting or medium for an exchange of views. 2 chiefly N. Amer. a court or tribunal. 3 (pl. fora) (in ancient Roman cities) a public square or marketplace used for judicial and other business.

[troll]

This can be simply a lack of commitment and motivation on the part of the management team.If there has been one consistant groan over the years it is this.Field archaeologists are not given the opportunity to read method statements/project designs prior to field work.Many have openly admitted to feeling like cheap labourers.Its been said elsewhere that an informed and integrated herd of archaeologists will always do more justice to any site from the beginning.The norm is that field staff may if lucky, be taken on a brief site tour.If even luckier, field staff may even view a health and safety document.Pick up shovel and go.From there onwards it can be heads down digging for 12 weeks.Mud and sky.Motivation has to start from Project design level.Sounds kinky I know but-we`re archaeologists, use us!

..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)

[Orkynowot]

Nowt wrong with that in my mind, if you are constantly late its not fair on those who turn up time, if its once in blue moon then its not so bad.

Myself I turn up 30-40mins early and have a relaxed coffee and ciggie before trundling down the stairs ti site

May god go with you in all the dark places you must walk.

[the invisible man]

Leagl advice should be sought. As I understand it, a written warning is not appropriate for a first offence.

Notwithstanding any legal or contractual issues, the tone of the document suggests that something is seriously wrong in that firm. Work somewhere else.

We owe the dead nothing but the truth.

[Cautionary Tale]

The above was my view on it. Employers have to be very careful about making statements about warnings without stating within what period they remain 'active' and when they lapse. I find it very difficult to support the notion of dismissal for arriving one minute late on three occasions in an unspecified period.

Of the Clan Sutton

[BAJR Host]

Can I have confirmation about this being from an archaeological contractor

Another day another WSI?

[Cautionary Tale]

I would re-iterate (as in the opening post) that this was an example of how other 'industries' over-react to prompt discussion.

Of the Clan Sutton

[muddyandcold]

Shades of a Mr. Karl Langford whom everyone slated.. But you come out with, quite frankly, victorian views and not a word. You quote benefits such as 'gym membership' and 'company bonuses' - but can you name an archaeological organisation that actually provides theses....

Come on for a profession that pays crap wages, surely a bit of give and take on time keeping has got to be expected [?]

quote:Originally posted by Barnesy

I've always found archaeologists (including my current employers )to be a quite fair minded bunch, this is how the other half get treated:

Dear All Once again the actions of the minority are going to have an impact on the majority. You are contracted to WORK from 9am not 9:01, 9:02 or anytime after that. WORK does not constitute walking up the stairs – if you want to get paid for climbing then buy a bucket and a ladder and become a window cleaner or go to the Himalayas and become a sherpa. You are paid to be at your desk doing WORK so if you’re not at your desk doing WORK at 9am you are late – no arguments that’s the way it is. Unfortunately for you in my world there are not degrees of lateness you’re either on time or you are late. One minute, 10 minutes, half an hour it makes no difference you have shown a lack of commitment and respect. I would also like to point out that signing other people in when they are not in the building especially when it has already gone 9am is wholly unacceptable and will be punished. So anyone persistently turning up late (see MY definition above) will be subject to disciplinary action in line with the company’s strict disciplinary procedures. I think it might be prudent at this point to remind you that perks such as Company Bonus and Gym Membership are discretionary and can be withdrawn on an individual basis at any time. So here’s two ways to behave and the theoretical associated consequences :-
Example 1 Turn up every day at 8:59am Turn up one day at 9:01am Give a lame (preventable) excuseGet a written warningTurn up at 9:01am againLose your bonusTurn up at 9:01am againLose your job Example 2 Turn up every day at 0845am Turn up one day at 9:10amApologise profusely Get a slight ticking off The choice is yours and yours alone. It’s like a bank account you can’t make withdrawals until you’ve made some deposits in Example 1 you were overdrawn before you even entered your PIN. In the unlikely event that I haven’t made myself clear please feel free to come and discuss it with me – I’d like that ;o) Best Regards



Of the Clan Sutton