Irresistible force, (x2), meets immovable object, (me), what usually happens in these circumstances?

This saga, between the "irresistible forces"(x2), and the "immovable object"(moi), may be coming to a conclusion, or almost has I now think I can confidently report, though how I'm still on good terms with my agency after last nights row with "irresistible force" number one, well its a bit of a miracle, (though some smarter moves on my behalf may have assisted this?).

The story of the bust up had reached head office, maybe last night, certainly this morning, and I tried to contact the lady who has been my main point of interaction with the agency for many years, (on and off), and at first didnt get a response, but I persevered and after leaving an answerphone message I got a call, and she listened to me explain how hard I truly believe/know, those two "irresistible forces" work, and how number one has to plan everything too. I did balance this with reasonable arguments about lack of health and safety, duty of care, arguments, where I believe there has been serious shortcomings.

At the end of the conversation she told me I wouldn't be needed to stay here nest week, (a great relief for all concerned), and I should still try to make arrangements with the manager over perhaps shortening my hours this week, if I was still struggling, (see "sick building syndrome" thread). I then tried to contact "irresistible force" number one, to ask when he was coming to pick me up in the van, and to tell him someone new was scheduled to assist next week, and all this was complete news to him, (he'd assumed I was for the boot, and had already picked up "irresistible force" number two, and started work on one of the smaller sites).

We agreed I would drive to the largest site and meet up there after lunch, as I did, (interactions fairly frosty from both of them but at least we were up and running again). Later in the day I discovered he didn't need me on Friday, and I wasn't needed at the last small site today, where tempers were frayed last night (all positives for me), and by the end of the time we worked together we were almost friendly again, (though he's still acting like the control freak he is, and number two "irresistible force" hadn't got any smiles to share with me at least!).

Looks like we may be through the tunnel and out the other end, but my guess is all are changed by the experience, not all to anyone's benefit. My real mates can see why I felt the need to fight the micromanagement, and b******t, and I think the best way forward is to forget it all and hope for better things, should my agency still feel it worth sending me out when they are short staffed on one or other site, (my old friends from the first placement I had when coming back to the agency two years ago, have been very supportive, as ever, and offered the chance to meet up as soon as the regulations allow).

Glass of wine now to unwind, hope you enjoyed the saga! :unsure::)👌.
 

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You must be feeling pretty good since you overcame.
If you describe something such as a desire or force as irresistible, you mean that it is so powerful that it makes you act in a certain way, and there is nothing you can do to prevent this.
 

Knight said:
You must be feeling pretty good since you overcame.
If you describe something such as a desire or force as irresistible, you mean that it is so powerful that it makes you act in a certain way, and there is nothing you can do to prevent this.
Click to expand...
I think it would be wrong to think I "overcame" two "irresistible forces", but it is true to say, try as they might, neither did they win when it came to the crunch point, because my longstanding very good relationship with the agency, (far longer than his), and my attempts to be reasonable and keep the experienced staff at the head office fully informed of issues, (like health and safety rules being ignored), did help "save my bacon", in terms of responsibility for the things I undoubtedly did do wrong, like losing my cool! :rolleyes:o_O🧖‍♂️.

In truth both sides, the "irresistible forces", and myself as an immovable object, proved we were not quite so powerful or firm or "difficult to move" as described in the OP. 🌎🌪️⚡.

Many thanks for your interest in my travails, all I've got to do now is compile my short list of ideas where my agency might wish to consider improving the service they provide, everything from the ridiculously easy and simple measure of hoovering floor sweeping equipment prior to moving from one corridor or area to another, to those relatively few but quite serious health and safety issues like using a floor scrubbing machine with a temporary fix on a damaged electric cable, and no testing certificate available, or test carried out. I'm told this test is to be done this very weekend, although I wont believe it till I see the actual paperwork, or am told by someone I trust the test has been done, because this manager continues to argue an electric device with a damaged cable can pass a test, "if the repair tape/sleeve is waterproof" ( - any electricians out there prepared to stick their necks out and agree with him :unsure::sneaky:?).
 
Here is a bit of research:

"Cracked or Damaged Plug
Any cracks or damage to the plug, or excessive damage to the appliance itself that may expose it's electrics will fail. ... A cracked or damaged plug would be replaced by your PAT test engineer. An item with a damaged case will most likely need replacing, insulation tape is not an acceptable repair."

https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm
Quote:
"The person doing testing work needs to competent to do it. In many low-risk environments, a sensible (competent) member of staff can undertake visual inspections if they have enough knowledge and training. However, when undertaking combined inspection and testing, a greater level of knowledge and experience is needed, and the person will need":

  • the right equipment to do the tests
  • the ability to use this test equipment properly
  • the ability to properly understand the test results

Here is a relevant pdf document
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg107.pdf

(see pages 8-13)
 
quote
simple measure of hoovering floor sweeping equipment prior to moving from one corridor or area to another.

Do you mean cleaning, cleaning equipment before going on to the next part of the cleaning job?

water proofing electrical wires.

see if one of these methods are used
https://www.google.com/search?q=wat...2i30i395l3.20182j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

which is it a a damaged cable or plug?

I worked for a company the really did & still does put employee safety as a top priority. Hopefully yours will look into your suggestions as trying to improve it's operation.
 
Knight said:
quote: simple measure of hoovering floor sweeping equipment prior to moving from one corridor or area to another.
Do you mean cleaning, cleaning equipment before going on to the next part of the cleaning job?
water proofing electrical wires. see if one of these methods are used
https://www.google.com/search?q=wat...2i30i395l3.20182j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
which is it a a damaged cable or plug?
I worked for a company the really did & still does put employee safety as a top priority. Hopefully yours will look into your suggestions as trying to improve it's operation.
Click to expand...
It is the cable on the floor scrubber, and my guess is the manager chose to do the repair himself, without telling anyone, hence his defensiveness, (and the couple of other members of staff are too cowed, or inexperienced to understand health and safety regulations etc.)
Yes, the girl seemed to think she didn't have time to clean the cleaning equipment or "V mop sweeper" before moving from one area to another.

V mop sweeper.1.jpg
 
Butterfly said:
Perhaps I am missing something here, but this seems like an awful lot of fuss over a short term temporary job.
Click to expand...
You are right in one sense I agree, but my relationship with the agency I talk about is not short term, and that was being put in jeopardy by shenanigans, or the way us fools were carrying on.

(I can defend myself a little by arguing the man managing me was behaving like an ego maniac, telling me essentially "its my way or the highway", then applying all kinds of double standards, did I mention "CoffeeGate", where he stops for a coffee and invites me to stop for one before we complete the last small site a week or so ago, then he chose to make it such a bone of contention for me to insist I be allowed one before carrying on working, when severely stressed out physically and mentally, so in need of a caffeine boost this week).
 
I know everyone still likes a "happy ending", and this time I've got one for you all (y):giggle: !

The "irresistible force" number two young woman, asked me this morning to assist her to manoeuvre the works van out of a difficult parking space early this morning, and as a very nice gesture in deed she gave me a small chocolate bar for my efforts.

There is lesson in all this isn't there, we've learned all irresistible forces are not quite as irresistible as they appear, (ditto immovable objects), and even if your own behaviour may be "challenging" at times, rocking the boat etc. it doesn't go entirely against your own interests, and may even win you some approval from those you'd found previously to be against you. :) .
 

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