Hard workers need not apply
A few years back, a graduate went to work in a ministry office. Though his job description was vague, he was dynamic and willing to work and he carved out a niche for himself in a department that didn’t want him. Despite his computer skills, he had no access to a computer, while his department chief had a computer apparently for decoration, with a little towel and a vase on top of it. After three years of waiting, he finally plucked up the courage to ask the chief for her computer. She took him into her office and a furious row broke out. She threatened that she would complain to the minister about him. The young man suggested she go to the minister and tell him what she herself was doing with the machine. Shortly afterward, the manager called the young man into the office. She scolded him for leaving the ministry at 6-7 p.m. when other colleagues left at 1-1.30 p.m. He suggested she draft an announcement stating that it was forbidden to work after the standard time. It was a long time before she spoke to him again. Eventually, she had to overcome her antipathy to him because he had become essential. Another ESDD graduate arrived at the same office, but the organization would not accept her. They told her to leave. She didn’t leave but stayed in the office, with nothing to do and nobody speaking to her. A series of legal ploys were then used to ensure she was not appointed to that office. Three months later, she is still there, unpaid.
