NHS Fun.
OK Tax payers, here's how your money was spent in the early 90's.
I was working on an EMI (Alzheimers etc) ward when I was asked if I could help out in a community group home for a bit in a nearby town. Eager to get out of bum wiping I readily agreed.
So I start my new job in a large Midlands town, there's the boss, me and 3 unqualified staff and 5 residents. Initially all is OK. I work 9-5, often on my own and the residents all go into town each day from about 8:30 to 4, so I hardly see them. I occupy my days by reading, going shopping and sleeping (pre interweb days). Once a week or so me and the boss do a shop for the unit - this involves about 12 bags from Tesco, although oddly only about 10 bags leave the bosses car - upon asking Im told "Its a perk of the job" - No deary, it's stealing, and I refuse to "join in". Initially I'm not too fussed as it's only once a month or so. But then it's more often 'til it's 3-4 bags a week going to her home. The remaining staff let our line manager know and she does...nothing.
At this point I'm called and told they need an acting manager at another home in town, as their boss is on long term sick leave. And again I readily agree to get out of this situation (which had all the staff worried they would get blamed for NHS fraud etc).
So I leave and start my new job - about this time in my life things aren't good at home with Mrs. Kite (medical, nothing "terminal" but very stresful for us both). So my mind is elsewhere and I'm a bit stressed. Now, my shifts should have been 9-5 again, with unqualifieds doing 3-11, a sleep in and then 7-12 (or something like that). So my shift becomes 11-3.30 most days, but I'm still getting full pay and travel money !(woo yay!). Not bad. I still get my afternoon snooze etc, and have a kebab for me lunch (on expenses) a few days a week.
It all sort of ended when my new line manager visited me on her first day. She comes in to find me with my feet up on a coffee table, kebab and coffee in hand watching the Test Match. She is not impressed and eventually politely asks me if I could stop watching the TV and talk to her.
It was about then I realised I had been taking the piss a bit. And honestly looking back I wasnt really that happy - I now work a lot harder and actually enjoy my work more. But it was a pretty fun time looking back on it.

(still miss my afternoon snooze though
(kitescreech still here, Sat 11 Aug 2007, 10:46, Reply)