Return to the bad old days.

[deepdigger]

Pass my Balaclava!

deep

[trowelfodder]

Im with you deep!

[troll]

I feel that the IFA are but one strand in the rope.An un-regulated industry functioning in a competative tendering environment is a recipe for disaster. The role of Curators/LPAs and consultants can often be seen to compound those disasters. Whilst I believe a holistic approach to these issues is required, I agree with 1man- join the IFA. I hope to join as an affiliate this month (funds forthcoming of course!). Having signed up to abide by rules and regs, thats exactly how I will then work.If we all took the same course, we as a workforce would not then accept the muppetry seen in the field on the basis that the decisions made by the incompetent breach said rules and regs.Instant policing.In an environment where increasing numbers of commercial enterprises choose profit over professionalism, maybe its time we policed the regs ourselves.Epsecially in the field-not only is this where the finite primary data either stands or falls, tiz where the full glare of "compromise" becomes apparent too.

..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)

[1man1desk]

From Troll:

quote:The role of Curators/LPAs and consultants can often be seen to compound those disasters.

That may be true on occasion. In my experience, however, the role of curators and consultants more commonly mitigates against the worst potential aspects of competitive tendering and weak regulation.

1man1desk

to let, fully furnished

[troll]

good day 1man, hope you are well. Sadly,I`m afraid the case is true for most projects I have experienced over the past nine years.Hence my annoying but consistant call for change!

..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)

[monty]

A certain well known "contractor specialising in linear projects" will employ absolutely anyone regardless of experience ! this includes staff from Digger to Project Officer, a very sorry state of affairs ! (We all know who they are !!)

rabarnett

[stripeykelly]

I completely agree with 1man1desk. We cannot spend our lives and tea breaks complaining about the current state of archaeology if we are not going to stand up and do something to change it. Joining the IFA may initially seem to be pointless, but if there are enough of us we can change the system from the inside out, or at least make our presence and opinions heard. We can push for proper regulation, so, as troll points out, tendering doesn't exist in the current Duckensian* "lassie faire" norm. Although 1man1desk, there is often the feeling by those of us in the lower echelons of the job, that to complain is to put your job/reputation on the line. That to keep mum and your job often outways the individual need to complain. Once we get rid of this climate of fear, it will be another improvement in the field.

*I don't know why it is saying Duckensian, but I can't seem to change it!! What's going on Mr Host!?[?]

the future's bright; the future's trowel shaped

[troll]

Greetings Monty. Sadly, the situation you describe is not resticted to one organisation. Major problems in UK commercial archaeology are allowed to continue due to a complete lack of policing by curators or the IFA.The commercial environment has effectively reduced archaeology to a mere heritage -removal service. Problem is, there are big bucks to be made in commercial archaeology. Professional standards, ethics and codes of practise are seen largely as mere hurdles to skirt around in such a competative environment.:face-huh:

..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)

[1man1desk]

Posted by Stripeykelly:

quote:Although 1man1desk, there is often the feeling by those of us in the lower echelons of the job, that to complain is to put your job/reputation on the line.

I know that is a common perception. All I can say is that, although I am in quite a senior position now, that was not always the case.

Earlier in my career, I always made a noise, complained where necessary, argued with the boss, etc. I still do it. My personal experience was that, as long as I put a good argument and had positive ways forward, this behaviour did not result in dire employment consequences; in fact, I attribute part of my progress up the greasy pole to my readiness to argue. While it can be risky, it also calls attention to the individual and gets them noticed.

Maybe I have just been lucky in my bosses - I certainly know that has been the case since I went into consultancy - but keeping quiet and avoiding notice certainly doesn't help you to progress in your career. Sometimes you need to take a risk.

1man1desk

to let, fully furnished

[Tim]

"Although 1man1desk, there is often the feeling by those of us in the lower echelons of the job, that to complain is to put your job/reputation on the line. That to keep mum and your job often outways the individual need to complain. Once we get rid of this climate of fear, it will be another improvement in the field."

In the UK you can "Whistle Blow" and have the right to be protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.




"Freedom of ideas is one thing, freedom of the purse is quite another". Edward Harris