comic archive (WIP … 0.5% complete)

original publish date: 25th December, 2009

notes

One of my bugbears. I’m surprised it took a whole week to surface in a comic.

This much older me still believes that if people are perceiving something that differs from reality, then our first (and preferably last) option is to find a way to address the disconnect.

“Perception is reality” is a starting point, not a fait accompli.

transcript

FTE #1: I understand the data says otherwise, but you know that ‘perception is reality’.

#0707: My perception is that you’re too lazy to fix the actual problem.

FTE #1: But that’s not true!

#0707: It’s my reality.

Closing caption: Perception is not Reality. People won’t stay delusional forever.

original publish date: 24th December, 2009

notes

The (only) interesting thing about this comic is that, if you’re not Australian, you need to understand that the Australian corporate and government sectors largely shut down over the Christmas / New Year period (and some would argue, for half of December and most of January). This, I’ve since learned, is not universal.

It might have something to do with it being summer in December here, and cold beer being readily available.

So, for the purposes of this largely uninsightful comic, insert your local popular holiday as required.

transcript

Clerk: Last week I was an accounts clerk, now I’m VP of Marketing

Janitor: I was emptying bins. Now I’m CFO.

Closing caption: Christmas holiday delegations. They can make you a god.

original publish date: 23rd December, 2009

[ INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ]

notes

This comic was a flippant observation about taking advantage of workplace dating restrictions (i.e., as a handy excuse for rejecting an unwanted suitor).

While the woman in the comic was portrayed in a position of strength, we unfortunately live in a world where workplace harassment still occurs all too frequently, and an older me just doesn’t want to do anything, even in a peripheral way, to downplay the issue.

So … removed.

original publish date: 22nd December, 2009

notes

Not my best work, but I think the two points I was trying to make are still largely valid, though the comic now seems … under-nuanced.

Firstly, it is still the case that, from a price-risk perspective, the premium paid to contract staff outweighs the redundancy compensation provisions for full-time employees.

What the comic completely ignores is the likelihood of a termination event, which varies significantly depending on, amongst other things, local labour protection laws and the availability of alternate skilled labour.

It also assumes a labour arbitrage situation where the contractor and the FTE are doing the same job. Not always the case, obviously.

Still, all things being equal, if you feel ‘needed’ or you have confidence that you could do the same or similar elsewhere with little bother, the premium is likely still worth it.

The second point the comic was trying to make, being that the contractor should shut up about all of it, remains true to this day.

transcript

Contractor: They pay you 40% less for the same work, right?

FTE: Yes, but …

Contractor: And they’re only required to pay you out two weeks’ salary for each year worked, or roughly 4%, right?

FTE: Your point is?

Contractor: Does that seem like a good deal to you?

Closing caption: Contractors should learn to shut up.

original publish date: 21st December, 2009

notes

This one takes me back. It was a time when we actually used Facebook, and when Facebook was innocent enough for the Farmville app to be the issue.

Simpler times, friends. Simpler times.

I guess the theme of the comic was trying to point out that, in the (early) days of social media, it was better to separate personal from work.

Still true, but I think, nowadays, it’s more obvious that that’s a given, right?

Do people still engage co-workers (senior, junior or otherwise) on social media? Surely not.

And don’t think that I don’t know that ‘It’s complicated’ statuses relate to Relationships, and not employment. It’s my way of saying that’s an oversight.

transcript

FTE: Hey, boss.. I’ve just sent you a Facebook request to join my co-op on Farmville.

Manager: I would have preferred the report you owe me.

Closing caption: Now might be the time to change your work status to “it’s complicated”.

original publish date: 20th December, 2009

notes

This used to be such a thing. Laptops (and peripherals like screens and docking stations) were seen as a significant expense, and security frameworks struggled to consider nuanced access by outside agents.

Discrete groups within IT departments needed external support (contractors), but the facilitating functions like desktop services (end user), information security and procurement functions struggled to provide 3rd parties with enabling tools of trade and appropriate access rights.

A decade and a half later, things are a lot better, until you have to exchange large files. Then you might as well be faxing.

transcript

Contractor: You don’t provide computers to contractors and using my own laptop breaches your security policy. How can I do any work?

Internal: That is not my problem, Hotshot.

Closing caption: Ever wondered why your internal staff outperform (sic) your highly paid contractors?

original publish date: 12th December, 2009

notes

Ahh, the first comic. I wish I remembered why this was top of mind enough to be the ‘launch comic’.

I’m not sure the last 16 years (16!!) have seen any marked improvement in how performance reviews are done.

At least there are fewer of us walking around with printouts.

Progress, right?

transcript

Project Manager: No, your annoying interference on my project can not be recognised as a “significant contribution”.
FTE: What if I stopped?
Closing caption: Performance review time. Let the achievement padding begin.