sci.research.careers

On Tue, 7 Aug 2007, Beladi Nasralla wrote:

> On Aug 4, 11:05 pm, Aging_Recycled_Scientist
> wrote:
>>> And I came to the realisation why the OHS manager was so extatic about
>>> putting me down. My older colleagues commented that perhaps I
>>> demonstrated an "attitude" when dealing with the guy. I confessed that
>>> must be the reason. Also, the test which the OHS manager prepared was
>>> a reflection of his simple uncomplicated nature of a technician and
>>> roughy he is. He subconcsiously laments that he cannot perform on par
>>> with the "guys with PhDs". I tried to answer the test questions on
>>> their merit out of top of my head, and I failed the test. He perceives
>>> my failure as a demonstration to him that he was no good at creating
>>> tests and that he is an uneducated simpleton, and should belong where
>>> he came from, not to be an OHS manager.
>>
>> It seems you might be putting too much into psychological
>> speculations, which lead to a warped perception of what is going on.
>> I suggest you change your tack. You could diffuse the situation by
>> asking the guy for help and advice on how to prepare better for the
>> retest. Find the preparation materials, study them well on your own
>> time and take it as fast as you can and diffuse the situation. You
>> may be creating a perception problem and labeling yourself as problem
>> obstinate employee otherwise. Play nice in the sandbox.
>
> I have re-taken the test. Got no feedback from the examiner ( ., the
> OHS manager) -- perhaps, he shows my insignificance by that. I have
> never heard from the supervisor's supervisor either -- no berating,
> nothing (but I think I will hear from him briefly at the next
> departmental meeting).
>
> I had a discussion with my colleague. He thinks that the OHS manager
> "slayed" me to show to the management that he (the OHS guy) works
> hard. My colleague made the conclusion that there was no real reason
> for the OHS guy to attack me, and thus I should do nothing about it,
> just let it slip. He also thinks that the OHS guy probably perceived
> from watching the management that I fell into disgrace with the
> management, and he (the OHS guy) attacked me to earn browny points
> from the management.
>

As far as my experience is concerned, "Safety" departments get the least
amount of respect from everyone. Nobody likes them, nobody appreciates
them, and most of what they demand makes little sense but you have to do
what they say. If the test is objective, then it has to be possible to
pass it objectively. They SHOULD contact you _promptly_ if you pass as
well as if you fail. If they do NOT contact you as promptly on a re-test,
then you SHOULD initiate contact with them to find out why. If you pass or
fail a retest, they should tell you. If not, then I would think you have a
valid right to file a complaint against your OSH department for
mismanagement. And, that will create a serious cloud of smoke. Don't start
with email. Just walk over and talk to the guy. It might be a good idea to
bring someone (a friend) with you as a witness to the conversation.

Sometimes there are hidden political games going on and you have to be
careful.

>