It all started during a family get together on Canada Day 08. We were 5 OPSers, including 2 ex. We spoke pretty much about everything from politics, hockey to how to win the lottery and of course we did a lot of talk about work! The FRO guys were pretty pissed at why managers and senior staff behaved as if they owned the Organization while regular agents did all the work. We thought frontline staff needed to communicate their problems better and to voice their concerns without being reprimanded by management, which was (still is) common at FRO.
We discussed a number of ways. We first thought that an online magazine, a web site or a YouTube account would do but after a few attempts, we realized that some professional help was needed. None of us was really familiar with the required technology and at the same time we were unwilling to share the project with externals for privacy reasons. Later, we thought a blog would be the best bet for 4 major reasons:
1. it’s anonymous. 2. it’s manageable. 3. it doesn’t require any tech knowledge and 4. it’s free.
So, we met again a few times and decided to contact some staff from each floor in the Office to see what they thought of the idea and if they would eventually join the moderators’ team. We thought a team of 6-8 people with different backgrounds would handle the job better. In the end, we didn’t really receive any response but at that stage, we didn’t expect much anyways. However, when the first posting was published, we received a dozen of comments praising the moderators for such a unique project in the history of FRO! That was very encouraging.
We had agreed to activate the blog for a 6 month trial period from September 08 to February 09. After which, the status would be subject to a review and we would go from there. (The second term started March 08.)
During the past 11 months, we received many threats and insults because according to these angry people, we allowed names of managers to be published or because the blog somehow caused problems to innocent staff, but we also received lots of support and we believe that the blog has changed the culture of FRO to the best. It was indeed this blog that revealed for the first time the ongoing violations of the OPS policies by managers and Directors.
One of the major issues that have been taboo at FRO was the hiring process. Managers hire their family members and friends without anybody saying anything to them. The hiring malpractices were finally confirmed by the former DM and her assistant but it was appalling how they refused to discipline those involved!
This remains a black spot in the history of this government!
We’re not sure about the anonymous letters sent to the DM and whether that was true or not, but this blog sure played a major role in making those arrogant senior staff in the government acknowledge their mistakes.
According to the memo received from the ADM, these letters were sent to the DM in 2008 but were reviewed only a few weeks before the DM retired in June 09!!!
The DM plan was to pass the ball.
Anyways, now that the second term is coming to an end, we’d like to hear from you. An extension of this blog will depend entirely on your reaction. Here are some questions to help you comment:
Did the blog serve your professional interests in anyway?
Do you think the blog has addressed or solved FRO real issues or some of them?
Do you think the blog has contributed in a better environment at FRO?
Do you want the blog to continue the same way or do you prefer a different tool?
Do you want the blog to continue at all?
You may send comments by posting them in the usual fashion. Your comments won’t be published.
Thank you all for your comments, support and contribution. It has been a real honor serving you.
On behalf of all moderators in beautiful Ontario and elsewhere,
E.M.
Quincy, Mass.
Aug 09.
