June 28, 1989
Dear Everyone:
If I sounded a bit testy last week, I apologize. It was (literally) the hottest day of the year. The temperature in downtown San Francisco peaked at 97 degrees. But that wasn’t really the problem. It was a relatively comfortable 80 at my desk. Because they had predicted such warm weather, I had worn a very light summer dress instead of the usual wool suit. But that wasn’t the problem.
The problem was the sandals that I wore to go with the dress. They were KILLING my feet. Remember, Rosa Parks didn’t refuse to give up her seat to a white man, thus setting off the boycott of buses, because she was fighting for her civil rights. She did it because her FEET HURT!
Let me tell you about Daniel. Daniel is not a real person, yet; but he (or she) will be soon.
The “Integrated Document Handling System” (“IDHS”) is a computer indexing system for keeping track of correspondence, reports, just about anything you care to put in it. Everyone in the Company will be able to use it, if they want to (no, I haven’t changed the subject, I’m getting to it). Records Management will be responsible for running the system, arranging for new users to get onto the system, answering questions and so on.
We’ve known for some time that we would be getting a new person to fill this function. (People don’t work around here, they fill functions.) This new person will report to the supervisor, “Alma”, but will take his work direction from “Holtz”. Later, when “IDHS” settles down to more of a routine, this new person will also join the rest of us in working on Active Files projects and Retention Schedules and such.
Well, I got tired of referring to this new person as The-New-Person-Who-Will-Work-Exclusively-on-“IDHS”-at-First-and-Later-Will-Work-on-Other-Projects. It was too much of a mouthful all the time. So I dubbed the New-Person-Who-Will… “Daniel”. It’s much shorter, easier to say and means the same thing. Why “Daniel”?
Because whoever gets this job is walking straight into the lion’s den.
Consider first the fact that “Daniel” is going to be working directly with, and taking instructions from, our old friend “Holtz”. Now, “Holtz” is a very smart man. I’ve never denied that. In fact, it’s part of his problem. He know so much that if you ask a question, he tells you everything he knows about the subject whether you need (or want) to know it all or not. Sort of like an encyclopedia with no index. Also, his brain gets ahead of his mouth so that by the time he’s reached the end of one sentence, his brain has already started 2 or 3 new ones it gets a bit jumbled at times. Still, he’s a nice enough guy. Just don’t ask any questions if your vanpool is leaving within 30 minutes or you might miss it.
“Alma” and “Holtz” spent most of yesterday afternoon interviewing potential Daniels (or Danielles). A few months ago, “Holtz” had suggested to “Alma” that maybe one of us already in the group should be Daniel. So “Alma” had asked if anyone wanted to volunteer. Since Daniel’s salary level is going to be 4B, the three people who are 4A’s would be crazy to take it. That left “Rowena” and me. We decided that working with “Holtz”, without a salary increase to go with it, would also be crazy and declined.
I’ll let you in on a secret: “Holtz” actually asked “Alma” if he could have me as Daniel. Twice. And I considered it very carefully. First I looked at what it would do for, or against, me personally. No salary increase. But there might be some Brownie Points to be scored. But those would be with “Holtz”; and “Holtz” doesn’t do my evaluations. “Alma” does. Then I considered what it would do for, or against, the group as a whole.
If I went over to “IDHS”, I’d be learning a “new” job, which means the department would, in effect, be down one person while I was getting up to speed. Meanwhile, a new person would have to be trained to replace me in the jobs I already know. So actually the department would be down two people for a time. If I stayed where I was and Daniel was hired, Daniel would be learning “IDHS” and the department would only be down one person. So it was in the department’s best interest for me to turn “Holtz” down and let them hire Daniel.
I explained this very carefully to “Alma” when she asked me about taking “Holtz” up on his offer and she agreed with me and said that that was what she was hoping I’d say. So I got some Brownie Points after all.
It all comes out in the wash. Still, I felt a little bad about everyone turning poor “Holtz” down. But it’s not as though I won’t be working with him from time to time.
“Alma” also told me that I am going to be Daniel’s backup.
Love, as always,
Pete
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