First Week with the government

My career with the govt is starting off nicely - NOT.

When I got to work on the first day, the nerves obviously were shot since I haven't worked for a new company in a decade and the thought of a new corporate culture was daunting. It got off to a most unexpected start - when I arrived - I call the HR rep to sign me in - She basically told me she had not expected me (even though I had confirm with her two weeks earlier AND she was the one who told me what time to come in.) I should have realized when she said that - things weren't going to be smooth. So she takes me to orientation - however since she wasn't expecting me - she had only one orientation package set up for someone else who was also starting. The other new hiree was hearing impair and the interpreter who was interpreting was brand spanking new and really was not very quick with her translation - so the HR rep went off to find someone else to finish orientation with me. She ends up pulling someone who has not done it in years and so basically I got a rather half baked orientation. I'm thinking to myself - not a good start.

So this rep escorts me to my boss' office and guess what? She was told I wasn't starting until Oct 14 - so she's not prepared for me either. So first day - I sat in the secretary's cube (she had just moved to a different location) and got no phone, no pc, nada......I'm thinking maybe this is just an oversight and things happen. I pretty much spent the day twiddling my thumb. Most of my boss staff was in training and so was not around. She did pull me around to talk with someone who seems to know quite a bit about the govt. The gentleman was quick to give me a low down of what and what not to expect.

I finally got a phone on day 2, and although my pc has finally been configured for me - its not going to be deliver until I have a cube space.....seems they have tons of space - its just still full of stuff from people had left (that's when I found out this division has a VERY high turn over rate). At last notification - I'm suppose to get my cube next week...yay....

The rest of the week was a bit chaotic although I learned quite a bit about the culture already when I had TWO people come up and offer advice about needing to slow down and not work too hard so that I don't built up expectations that I can't meet....huh???? Sheesh - at that point - all I was doing was a minor secretarial task for my boss and was typing something into the secretary's pc (I'm certain I'm the most expensive secretary ever. :-)) I can't decide whether the persons were trying to get me to NOT show them up or just truly thinks it makes sense to start off a new job by showing your boss you're lazy. I've heard that alot about the culture in the govt and I don't get it.....I mean why sabotage yourself.....I would think if you don't like it there - you would work extra hard so that you can have a reason to move on to a brighter and better place and if you like it there - more reason not to sabotage yourself at all.

Anyway, after hearing diff views from diff people - I think to survive a career in the govt without everyone around you hating you and trying to sabotage you is to just smile a happy smile to everyone and stay under the radar - maybe I'll come of this experience without too much bruising. :-) Key is to look stupid as if you don't have a brain until you need to show it. I'm not sure how long I can keep that up. :-)