Employer can't meet the basic requirements for work

thescouselander

takman wrote: »

Why don't get you request a laptop computer. It's easy to justify the cost of a laptop if your attending lots of meetings and need access to a computer to be productive.

I've got a laptop. The problem is it needs to be connected to the network and the connections are on the desks which means it's just a paperweight if I can't get to a desk.

ThemeOne

thescouselander wrote: »

I've got a laptop. The problem is it needs to be connected to the network and the connections are on the desks.

They don't have wireless? As I said they need to get their IT sorted out. Plenty of organisations now operate from offices which are too small to accommodate everyone in person.

Even meetings can now be attended remotely using webcam etc.

sangie595

Logging into a network without a direct physical link is easy - if your IT department haven't mastered that, they need to. The laptop sitting next to me is logged into my workplace network this minute, and I am definitely not there!

But there is no law that you want, so you must find another way. Can other staff not work from home to free up space?

Mersey_2

It's an increasing problem, so much so that it's actually become a regular comical posting on Rollonfriday and another legal blog re which top 100 firm this week is playing musical chairs and removing yet more desks and PCs. Hot desking is fine when there's eg 100 fee earners and 80 desks, but not when it gets down to 50 desks & PCs.


Though as ThemeOne & Sangie595 say: they really should have wireless at work and allow remote access at home. [Although I do know a top 100 law firm that won't allow either, strangely even though they employ a huge IT dept]

Xbigman

In my warehouse they cut down the number of electric trucks so that on busy nights we are are up to 5 short. What has this got to do with desks you ask? Well, there were increasing numbers of staff coming in early to get a truck. The result being that it was nearly always the same few people (who came in a few minutes before their shift start) who couldn't start work on time each night.
The management response was not to get in more trucks but to tell the staff involved it was a pattern and that they were not trying hard enough. Now almost everyone is on site at least 15 mins early, with some coming in over an hour early. Unpaid.

My advice - don't be the one without a desk all the time. In theory it is the managements problem. In reality they can make it yours.


Darren

thescouselander

sangie595 wrote: »

Logging into a network without a direct physical link is easy - if your IT department haven't mastered that, they need to. The laptop sitting next to me is logged into my workplace network this minute, and I am definitely not there!

But there is no law that you want, so you must find another way. Can other staff not work from home to free up space?

Well, the original idea was that some staff would work from home or be off site for other reasons. That worked for a bit but now the staff to desk ratio is so bad it just doesn't work anymore.

As for WiFi it should be provided but the fact is its not there and won't be arriving any time soon.

prowla

It seems to me that this is an opportunity for a manager to take the initiative and sort it out.

Maybe a Wi-Fi access point would solve the network connectivity issue, maybe introducing remote working would be an idea, maybe taking on overflow office space (eg. Regis) might help.

ThemeOne

It sounds like the company is burying its head in the sand over this, but the problem won't go away it'll only get worse. It's no good expecting people to work around the issue as there's no way to work round it if they won't even provide wifi.

Someone needs to pick this up and get something done, otherwise some kind of crisis will occur, then IT solutions will be rushed through without proper testing resulting in more chaos. I've seen it all before, I'm afraid.

getmore4less

Where are all these meetings being held.

Camp in one of those rooms.

There must be a network point close enough to run a cable and a stick a switch on it so everyone in the room can have a wired connection.

Is there any floor space all you need is a desk big enough for a laptop
Homebase do some sturdy portable tables for less than £30.

There are also purpose built portable workstations for mobile workers like nail techs which would work well for a laptop.


The reality though this is something for local management as a group along with the person in charge of the building to sort out.