My working life - part 1

United Biscuits - Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire (1976-1979)

THE COMMUTE
It was less than 5 minutes on my Honda C70 from our home to the factory - 5/5

SENIOR STAFF
The senior staff were either distant (as in totally disinterested in the "workers") or were fanatical empire builders, or both - 1/5

COLLEAGUES
My colleagues were a strange bunch. Most were totally dominated by the larger-than-life Linda R who was the most committed man-hater I have ever met - 1/5

THE WORK
The projects that were under the control of the department were based in Grimsby (Lincolnshire), Fakenham (Norfolk) and Carlisle (Cumbria) so a logistical nightmare. It is fair to say that I didn't learn a single new skill in my three years working for United Biscuits - 2/5

LEAVING EVENT
Nothing was arranged probably because I was glad to be going and they were glad to be getting rid of me - 0/5

TOTAL SCORE 9/25

WORSE PART
The frequent trips to Grimsby

THE BEST PART
The final week when some bizarre plan to send me miles away to work (essentially for ever) was cancelled when the senior staff suddenly realised I was leaving - nobody had told them.


Cannington College - Somerset (1979-1990)

THE COMMUTE
It was less than 5 minutes on my Honda C70 from our home to the college - 5/5

SENIOR STAFF
In the early days the Principal was rather like an old fashioned Head Master - a true gentleman in word and deed. It was only towards the end of my time in Somerset that more business orientated senior staff were appointed. - 4/5

COLLEAGUES
I made some quite good friends during my 10 years although I am only still in touch with one of them. With hindsight it was disappointing that there was a certain friction between the two halves of the department and I think this impacted on all of us in a rather negative way - 3/5

THE WORK
I enjoyed teaching and in Further Education in the 1980s there was a lots less government interference in the daily life of a lecturer than was to become the case later on in my career - 5/5

LEAVING EVENT
Very badly mishandled by my line manager who basically spoiled what should have been an important rite of passage. 1/5

TOTAL SCORE 18/25

WORST PART
Management by favouritism as practiced by NAD

THE BEST PART
Gaining the experience and the qualifications that set me up for the rest of my working life.