16th October 2009, 02:58 PM
Windbag,
your point about the lay-offs being focussed on junior staff is well-made and does inevitably hit profits but in the instance of the company I work for, while a brutal policy, it does make sense. This is because (and I would have thought most units would have the same set-up) the managers aren't actually trained managers but archaeologists who have climbed the slippery pole and consequently have a more diverse range of skills, being able to prepare all pre-site docs, fieldwork, post-ex, tendering etc. whereas the juniors cannot necessarily contribute during the (inevitable) lulls in work when everyone is office-based.
It's been a bit odd seeing our managers getting their hands dirty but I think the logic, however difficult to swallow, makes sense.
your point about the lay-offs being focussed on junior staff is well-made and does inevitably hit profits but in the instance of the company I work for, while a brutal policy, it does make sense. This is because (and I would have thought most units would have the same set-up) the managers aren't actually trained managers but archaeologists who have climbed the slippery pole and consequently have a more diverse range of skills, being able to prepare all pre-site docs, fieldwork, post-ex, tendering etc. whereas the juniors cannot necessarily contribute during the (inevitable) lulls in work when everyone is office-based.
It's been a bit odd seeing our managers getting their hands dirty but I think the logic, however difficult to swallow, makes sense.