Tales of a Traveling Cat

Current Mood: irritated

Working as an Administrative Assistant (read: Secretary) has been an eye-opening experience. The sheer idiocy that goes on within an office is mind-bogling - and yet, companies work and make money despite it.

Case in point: Monday morning, I had an employee come tell me that the large multi-fucntion device was out of ink; they volunteered to call and get a new print cartridge ordered. Fine. I don't use that machine (I have my own...). By Monday afternoon, I had had at least 5 people come tell me the print cartridge was out and that a sign had been put on the machine that a cartridge had been ordered.  ??? Okay ??? I'm guessing they felt the need to share. 

Tuesday morning arrives (as they do following a Monday), no print cartridge has been delivered - or so I was informed by about 10 people.  Apparently, patience is not a virtue in the office.  After spending most of the morning doing the usual last minute stuff for a meeting that was set two months ago, I go to the MFD to discover that, Alas!, the cartridges were not delivered and the aforementioned sign is still there.  Yet lo! in the corner next to the machine there sits a new print cartridge in its dusty box! 

Yup - rather than looking around the printer room, people just come to me (or any of the Admins, for that matter) to do the job of changing the print cartridge.  They would rather take the time to walk down to my desk than spend that time doing the job.  Why?  I wish I knew.  Laziness comes to mind.  A mind-set that it is the job of the Admins - not theirs - to change the cartridge or paper or whatever.  Or, possibly, in this case, just stupidity: "I can't read and follow the instructions on the screen of the printer."  Why?  "Because I left my brain at home today...I think."

I have to wonder why they make the most money and how in G-d's name they managed to survive this long without being hit by a car.