What a fabulous combination for a manager.  I'm so glad we have people like this.

There is a process, by which everyone is expected to follow when posting job rotations for their group.  The process is quite simple. 

• Hiring Manager
1. Prepare a business case
2. Get it approved by your boss
3. Send it to my boss & cc me
4. I prepare your job posting based on the position's job code, my boss ensures that union reps (if applicable) are all aware that it's coming
5. You review the posting I send you and make revisions (if necessary)
6. I post it
7. On closing day, I attach all the applications and I send them to you.  I will have checked that all applicants are permanent, full-time employees and that everyone CC'd their supervisor.
   
   
• Applicant
1. Discuss with your boss to determine if you can be released
2. Prepare your application (resume & cover letter)
3. Email it to the Job Rotation mailbox & cc your boss

Simple, right?!

Well, Overzealous Petty & Stupid (OPS) didn't seem to think so.  Someone in his group applied for a rotation.  When she got an interview (i.e. has not been hired yet) he sent me a job posting that he created for her position, sent it to me and said get it ready to fire in the event that she is hired.  He wanted it to go out the same day.  A little overzealous, no?

Anyways...not going to happen.

First of all, OPS should've sent it to my boss.  Not me.  Second, I cannot issue a job posting unless directed to do so by my boss.  Third, you cannot write up a brand new job description for a represented position.  Otherwise the unions get VERY upset.  You can only make small minor changes to the EXISITNG one.  Fourth...where is your business case?

So, I kicked it over to my boss and let him kick it back.  Cuz dealing with OPS is one of my least favourite activities.

But that wasn't enough.

He called to find out if there was a way to circumvent the process and just get it approved by the big boss.  Uhm...dude, no.  I'm not going to say that others haven't broken the rules like that, but it's not exactly something we encourage.

So, after a few back and forths, I eventually sent him a draft posting and said, "Let me know if this is approved and I will issue it."  He emailed it back the next day.  5 minutes after he emailed it to me, he called my desk.  I was in a meeting with my boss but I could hear my phone ringing at my desk (we were really close by).  5 minutes after that, OPS showed up at my office.  As he walked by my boss' office, he saw me so he pedalled back and asked me if I had gotten his email and voicemail.  So, I already told you the story about this.  Honestly, wtf.

The next day, I issued his one-week job posting.  The second day into this posting, he called to ask me who applied.  I told him that to try to ensure some level of fairness, the hiring manager does not receive any postings until the day the posting closes.  I then pointed out that there was already one applicant that foolishly cc'd him.  Oh well.  After some more nagging, I told him that was the only person that applied and that he should just relax because there were still 3 more days.

The day the posting was set to close, he called me and emailed me a few times to say that he wanted to be sure that he would get everything at 3pm because he wanted to review it over the weekend.  Dude...I already have one micromanaging boss.  I don't need more micromanagers who think they can tell me what to do.  Fuck off.

Lucky for him, I'm very on the ball, so the email had already been scheduled to go with all the attachments at exactly 3:06 pm.

Meanwhile, there was a rotation posted to which *he* wanted to apply.  So he sent me an email saying he was going to apply and that he had asked his boss to review his resume and cover letter.  Seriously...I don't care.

On the last day, he applied to the position and did not cc his boss.  So, I kicked his email back.  Actually...I was going to just let it go because he had said he discussed it which his boss.  *My boss* said to kick it back.  So OPS leaves me this snide voicemail saying, "I don't know what your process is, or why it keeps changing or how it's enforced...blah blah blah."  Again, fuck off.  It flat out says in EVERY job posting that goes out, "cc your supervisor".

He did resend it.  And in resending it, he cc'd his boss and wrote, "As requested by *insert cokeaddict's full name here*."

Dude.  You trying to start a war here?!  I didn't not REQUEST that you resend your application.  I reiterated the rules and gave you the opportunity to do this correctly.  I could've just NOT INCLUDED your application in the package to the hiring manager.

So...I emailed him and reiterated that these are the rules.  I know I missed that his employee had not cc'd him when she applied to another job but that it does not generally happen.  And since I didn't want to talk to him about this bullshit anymore (and I don't have to put up with his snide implications), I told him to direct all his concerns/questions to my boss (who is more than happy to stonewall him).  That's not enough, obviously.  So OPS emails my boss and cc's me to say he wasn't expecting a response (so you want me to ignore you?!) and that he wasn't referring to that employee as she had informed him of her intent to imply.  It was for the clerk who applied to her position.  This clerk reports to him.  He's upset that she didn't cc him and I didn't kick her application back??  I didn't kick her application back because she's applying for a position that is in her current group.  OPS is the hiring manager AND her supervisor.  Seriously...maybe she didn't talk to you about it, but she's IN YOUR FUCKING GROUP!!!  Applying to a job that is also IN YOUR FUCKING GROUP!!!

Honestly...I don't have the energy to put up with this shit.  Administering this program wasn't even a part of my job.  We had a clerk for this.  But as a result of cutbacks, we got rid of the clerk and now *I* administer the program.  But I have REAL work to do.  Just follow the damned rules and everything will run smoothly.  No one else has had any issues getting a job posting out!

Whatever, I'm hoping this idiotic issue dies once these two job postings close.  Then, I hopefully won't have to talk to him again...if possible, ever.

I like to think that I'm generally a tough cookie.  And for the most part, I've convinced most people that I am.  But even tough cookies like me occassionally have weak moments.  We also have soft spots that we try to keep hidden -- especially from ourselves.

Yesterday, I had one of those less than stellar moments.  Nothing embarrasing happened, but now I'm feeling emo.  I had a fatty breakfast sandwich, some rice chips, and a cookie (but the cookie was the trainee's fault...his gf baked them so I *had* to take one ).  And it's not even 11am yet!

You know...it'd be a lot easier for me to be a tough cookie if he wasn't so damned sweet...and if he wasn't just so freaking my type.

Gawd...weak, girly emotions.

Where the hell is my purge button?

I had one of these moments today.

There was an engineer who had an exceptional gift for fixing all things mechanical. After serving his company loyally for over 30 years, he happily retired. Several years later the company contacted him regarding a seemingly impossible problem they were having with one of their multi-million dollar machines. They had tried everything and everyone else to get the machine to work but to no avail.

In desperation, they called on the retired engineer who had solved so many of their problems in the past. The engineer reluctantly took the challenge. He spent a day studying the huge machine. Finally, at the end of the day, he marked a small "x" in chalk on a particular component of the machine and said, "This is where your problem is." The part was replaced and the machine worked perfectly again. The company received a bill for $50,000 from the engineer for his service. They demanded an itemized accounting of his charges.

The engineer responded briefly: One chalk mark $1; Knowing where to put it $49,999.

It was paid in full and the engineer retired again in peace.

I emailed the VP my "invoice" (as a joke).

TOTAL $50,004.
4 keystrokes at $1 each.
$50,000 for knowing which keys to use.

Looks like all I'm getting is an after work beer, though.

You're entitled to your opinion.  So if you want to "argue" about this, don't bother.  My response to you is, "You're free to believe whatever you want."

I'm sick and tired of everyone saying that the Habs should just shoot for last place to get a high draft pick.  I don't care what anyone says about "thinking/planning" for the future.  That is such bullshit.  These are professional hockey players.  I expect them to play their hearts out every single minute of every single game to try and win -- even if they're a mediocre team.  They are not paid 6 to 7 figures to just show up and skate around so that we can get a first rounder.

As a professional, I would *never* do a halfass job.  Having played competitive sports, I would NEVER do anything other than play to win.  You know why?  Because that is what athletes do.  That is what professionals do.  That is what people WHO HAVE A STRONG WORK ETHIC DO!!! How can you scream for them to just dump?  I want them to TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR WORK!  And to do that, they have to work as hard as they can, and then some.

If the coaches and management want to orchestrate some crap so that they can strategically end up in the bottom to try and get a first round draft pick, that's their perogative.  I don't like it.  I don't have to agree with it.  But they hold the power so they can do whatever they want.  If you think I'm not a "real fan" just because I don't "look at the bigger picture" then I don't want to be your kind of "real fan".  I can be my kind of "non-real fan" and love every game where I see good hockey and cheer my heart out every time we win or score.  I will not let some armchair coach, whose opinion has no bearing whatsoever on the cosmic balance of the Habs universe, ruin the moment for me by saying, "They should just trash the rest of the season to get a first round draft pick."  If I'm going to take 3 hours of my precious time to watch a game, if I'm going to spend my hard earned money on tickets to a game, I don't care what their standings are.  They had better fucking win.

I'm not telling anybody they can't voice their opinion.  I'm not implying that anyone should change their opinion.  I'm simply stating, if you're wondering why I went from talking to you all the time to not talking to you at all, here it is. 

It's not because we have a different opinion.
It's because you try to ram your opinion down my throat at every possible opportunity.

So, have whatever opinion you want.

Just respect the fact that I don't have to
(and I don't)
share that opinion.

End of rant.

We now return to your regular scheduled blogging.

GO HABS GO!!!

When losing, they [the fans] want a team you can relate to. What I hear now is if the team is losing, why not have team we can relate to?

~Francis Gagnon, La Presse

This has to be the stupidest thing I've read all day! Relatable losers?! How about I DON'T WANT US TO FREAKING LOSE ANYMORE!! If a Stanley Cup trumps everything (as he claims) then we shouldn't even be talking about having a team of relatable losers. I don't care who speaks what. Just get me a team that WINS! Sheesh!! Priorities, people!

Francis Gagnon is ridiculous. Just to blast point-for-point arguments:

• After that [winning the Stanley Cup], have as many Canadians and French Canadians as possible...Not only Francophones but guys from Ontario.  Canadians.
  Uhm, how about, even if we’re not Cup contenders, I’d like to see some wicked ass, excellent hockey? I don’t want to watch a team that sucks “just” because they’re all Canadian. I don’t watch Canada’s soccer team during World Cup for this *exact* reason. I’ll be supportive, but dammit, they suck. I don’t want to watch them play.
  
  And how gracious of Gagnon to include, you know...guys from Ontario. 
  
  
• Would the Leafs have a coach, like Pittsburgh did a couple of years ago, who only spoke Czech (Ivan Hlinka)? Of course, that’s not going to happen.
  I’ve lived in Toronto since I was a very little girl. I’ll tell you right now, with the confidence of every cell in my body, no Leafs fan would ever give a crap about the language capabilities of the head coach if it meant the Leafs would play better and possibly win the Stanley Cup. And unlike Gagnon’s claim about relating to a losing team, I think it’s safe to say no one looks to Leafs to be relatable. When they’re losing, most Leafs fans just don’t give a crap and get on with life.
  
  And you want to know *why* that’s not going to happen? It has nothing to do with Leafs, the fans or the Toronto media. It’s because you can’t work in China if you don’t speak Chinese. You can’t work in Brazil if you don’t speak Portuguese. And you can’t work administratively in the NHL if you don’t speak English. Players that don’t speak English have translators. And that’s the key!! The coach doesn’t *have* to speak English (though it being the only common language of the entire team of players makes this kind of significant), but he’ll need a translator. So Cunnyworth doesn’t speak French. His assistant coach does. Cunnyworth also said he would learn. And if that’s not freaking good enough, then the club can PAY a translator for him.
  
  
• I can't imagine, even though there are lots of Francophones in Alberta, that English Albertans would accept a Calgary coach who would not say word in English. Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto would not accept that.
  You know what? Toronto (I’m talking about the fans) are so used to everybody speaking English as a second language, and a lot of times not even speaking it well, I’m sure they would not even flinch at the thought of a non-English speaking coach. As long as he can limp along in broken English, enough to coach the team, the fans won’t care. The most you might get is an acknowledgement of, “Hey, did you know the new head coach doesn’t speak English? I wonder how that’s gonna work out.” But just as a side thought, you can’t work for the Government of Quebec if you don’t speak any French. So how do you expect to work in the English business of the NHL if you don’t speak *ANY* English at all?
  
  
• I understand, Montreal, in having a coach who can speak French to fans, they would be putting aside some great candidates. But if Montreal doesn't give chance to Francophone to coach in NHL who will?
  Opportunity. I agree. Montreal should give opportunity to Francophone coaches…BUT only if they’re NHL calibre coaches (and if they’re not proven NHL calibre, they at least have potential). I would not pick a mediocre coach over a superior coach based on language alone. The coach’s primary responsibility is to communicate WITH THE PLAYERS…NOT the fans. The team has an entire pack of PR & marketing people for that. I agree that most fans like being able to hear from the coach, but maybe that’s the responsibility of the media. Case in point. The Leafs have a growing contingent of Punjabi fans…who speak predominantly Punjabi and very limited English (if at all). The CBC (you know…that small media organization also known as the public broadcaster?) has a radio show that broadcasts the Leafs game…wait for it…wait for it…IN PUNJABI!!! Do you think that this community would demand a fluent Punjabi-speaking coach if their segment of the fanbase got bigger or became the majority? I don’t think so (in fact, I’m *sure* they wouldn’t).
  
  I know there will be an argument about heritage and all that stuff. And truth be told, I (an Anglo-Quebecker, visible minority-child of immigrant parents who fled Quebec thanks to Bill 101) would *love* to see a French/English bilingual coach behind the Habs bench…or behind all the benches of Canadian teams. BUT, if they’re not the best candidate for the job, I will RESENT the fact that they got there just because they can speak French.
  
  And another thing…not sure if you noticed, but Yuna Kim didn’t speak a word of English – her coach was Canadian Brian Orser. Tessa & Scott don’t speak a word of Russian…they have Russian coaches. England’s National Football team…coached by Fabio Capello – pretty sure he’s Italian. But maybe this will be deemed as “a different situation.”

This quote isn’t from Gagnon, but it’s significant.

The Montreal Canadiens once stood for excellence. Now they stand for something else. The team has gone on record that they must be representative. I heard someone in the press box say that there are not enough French Canadians on the power play? I understand it as an outsider, but I’m not sure it’s productive.

~ Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated

The fact that the language ability of the Power Play special team even factored into someone’s thought path makes me wonder why these people are even watching hockey. I want *my* hockey team to be the best damned team out there. They represent us because they wear our shirt. The franchise still does everything in both languages. In addition to our history and legacy, the fact that we’re the only team that does everything in both languages is one of the many things that makes us special. You can upgrade all the parts that are inside the car if you want, but if the body is a Toyota Corolla, then the car is still a Toyota Corolla. The body of our car is the best damned body out there…standing for excellence in sport, and the pride of Montreal. That doesn’t change just because we have different coaches and/or players. BUT, if we don’t upgrade the inside with the times, stay competitive, and build to win, then the pride and glory fade and all we’re left with is a bucket of bolts with Made in Quebec parts. I’m not saying we shouldn’t draft French Canadian players or hire French Canadian coaches. I’m saying that we pick them if they’re best. And if they’re not, then we pick someone else. If we’re doing really well and can afford to give opportunity to someone who might not be the best but have potential and can benefit from getting a break, then do it. When times are dire and we’re trying to stop our downwards spiral (hence the mid-season firing of a coach), THAT is when we must go with best-most-qualified – bilingual or not.

I love my team profusely and would never give them up. But I’m sick of the media creating a controversy over this. The thing that annoys me the most is, “Toronto wouldn’t stand for this either.” Because that’s just media bullshit. If you’ve ever lived even just two weeks in Leafs Nation during any of the hockey season, you would know, the fans wouldn’t care if the coach was Russian, Slovak, or even a penguin. If it means the team might win a Cup, everyone is fair game.

Source of quotes: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/bruce-dowbiggin/habs-coaching-appointment-stokes-quebec-nationalist-sentiments/article2275452/