Fantasy Unit league

[Illuminated]

This was a popular feature of the moribund digger magazine, and served a very useful purpose.

I would love to see it resurrected, as there are both a lot of good and bad archaeological units out there, and those of us prepared to supply our labour deserve the best information possible about our potential employers.

BAJR is I think now the best known and widely accessed portal in the profession, and I'd like to think it could be used to give a 'users guide' to the companies who employ archaeologists.

I realise there is an acceptable use policy which would prevent specific grievances (and maybe excessive praise?) being aired, but perhaps there is some way units could be compared relatively objectively on this site with the results being made public?

I would suggest (as in the past) a mark from 1 to 5 on the categories of: Training, PPE supplied, Respect and responsibility given to staff, Pay, Sick pay, Paid days holiday, room for advancement, and Site hut banter. Three individual entries would be needed for any particular employers results to be published to rule out any particularly disgruntled or over enthused employees distorting the picture.

The only fair way I can think of is for people to supply info to one person to objectively compile results. I don't know who this person could be to give any results any credibility, but suggestions would be welcome.

[voice of reason]

see you in court....

[Illuminated]

It doesn't have to be a negative thing! For example some units would better suit a new graduate who needs training, and some would suit those who have more experience and can be given higher pay rates...

My post was asking if anyone could think of a way some sort of guide to units could be made public (without any AUP infringements or court actions!). Looks like word of mouth, rumour and hearsay must prevail...

Glad to see the BAJR adverts now have sick pay, holiday and pension boxes to tick - the more information on employers the better!

[voice of reason]

and as for PPE - is there anyone out there who still doesn't provide it?

[historic building]

Surely much of this information could actually come straight from the adverts posted by the companies themselves. A league-table based upon adverts where points are allocated according to the other benefits offered by the jobs. M'learned friends surely cannot object to that.

[vulpes]

Kevin Wooldridge already does something similar and well researched here:

http://www.freewebs.com/outwageuk/

Nice tunes too!

Not really a 'pot person'.

[BAJR Host]

You beat me to it vulpes!

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[trowelfodder]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[i]
"Surely much of this information could actually come straight from the adverts posted by the companies themselves. A league-table based upon adverts where points are allo

[voice of reason]

bitter, moi?

quote:Originally posted by trowelfodder
Great idea in theory but in practice things are often very different - in particular with reguards to training and staff responcabilities. Its very easy to say that you have a structured training plan etc but when you arrive at a company it doesnt exist! The same with responcabilities - many companies are keen to have diggers working at levels above their pay grade on the pretence that its good for their careers or some such tosh!

Diggers, and in particular new diggers, who are not privy to the archaeological grapevine of who and who not to work for would benifit from the expiriences of others.

Of course some people may have a axe to grind with certain companies but shurely if there are large numbers of diggers who have had negative experinces then maybe there is an underlying problem!!

Having said that I dont think the forum is the place for this - how about something a bit more anonomous like theseunitssuckarse@myspace [:p]

[kevin wooldridge]

There are of course plenty of web-based ways to promote a fave unit, employer, lifestyle or individual site. The most 'fashionable' of these at present seems to be through Facebook groups.

Can't say that 'I'm an archie get me out of here' appeals to much, but I have been known to lurk about ' We are Mortimer Wheeler's Bitches'.

Am in the process of setting up a group promoting pubs where archaeologists drink, have drunk, are welcomed etc etc.

Most Facebook groups that thrive adopt a positive approach. The problem with Facebook sites based on a 'negative' attitude is that having expressed one's angst by joining, the group then does ....er...nothing.