So my work kinda sucks right now. We're really short staffed after 1 person quit, and my supervisor was forced to take administrative leave (long story). So things have been crazy, no one is really in charge, and it's a lot of extra work and responsibility for me.

So we got a request from a client to setup a teleconference for 11:00 this morning. It's one of the many weird misc things we're responsible for. No big deal though. All we have to do is bring the teleconferencing unit, and make sure that there's a dedicated phone line in the room they're using so they can dial out.

No big deal right? I call up the Telecommunications office, tell them the story, and let them know that I'd like the phone jack in that room (gave them the jack numbers) to be able to handle a routine teleconference.

I get transfered to this lady who's obviously some sort of an authority figure in the Telecom office, but is making zero sense of my story. After 3 or 4 explanations of what I need she proceeds to tell me that she "doesn't deal with jacks." I tell her it's not about dealing with the jacks, I'm not asking her to install anything, or maintain anything. I just need someone to make sure that line is on, and ready to go. She says she'll call me back.

I get a phone call 30 minutes later from our receptionist (I'm somewhere else actually doing work) who tells me this lady called back and said that what I asked for was... and I quote.... "IMPOSSIBLE."

We do things like this on a regular basis, and not once has there ever been 1 single issue. But somehow Ma Bell here decides that not only is it out of her jurisdiction, but it also defies the laws of reality.... IMPOSSIBLE.

So after a few phone calls our receptionist tells her that it's a really routine procedure, it's done all the time, and that it shouldn't be an issue. This woman then informs us the guy who would normally handle this is on vacation, and that no one else in the entire Telecommunications department could possibly know how to do this without him.

My boss eventually had to call her boss, and something was finally done about it. How infuriating is it to work your ass off, but have your whole day held up because some slophole hasn't had her 9th cup of coffee yet, and doesn't feel like budging? How embarassing is it to have to have your bosses settle things like a grade school recess squabble?

WOMEN.

xmikex said:

BTW: Fucking tell me about it. I've spent literally half my day dealing with a dimwit who a) can't fill out an online form by CHECKING THE LITTLE BOXES, even when I'm walking her through it on the phone, and b) neglected to tell me that this new employee? The one who she urgently needs all new access set up for right away? You know, the one we've been emailing back and forth all day about getting brand-new shit set up for? Yeah, they already work here. Hella douche, man, hella douche.