Employee outsources own job to China

[Stephen]

What a guy, lol.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21043693

The software developer, in his 40s, is thought to have spent his workdays surfing the web, watching cat videos on YouTube and browsing Reddit and eBay.
He reportedly paid just a fifth of his six-figure salary to a company based in Shenyang to do his job

[danielf]

"Evidence even suggested he had the same scam going across multiple companies in the area. All told, it looked like he earned several hundred thousand dollars a year, and only had to pay the Chinese consulting firm about $50,000 (£31,270) annually."

Nice work if you can get it! Well done him

[Russ]

I saw this very idea in Dilbert's book about managing your co-workers

[thenry]

[Sirius]

Stunning

[Ramrod]

Outstanding

[Pierre]

This is more common than you might think, I've heard of other examples of this - although the example I heard was India not China.

[RichardCoulter]

The problem is that employers may now think that it is in their interests to do it directly and benefit themselves.

In addition, foreign workers are cheaper, have less rights and are generally more disciplined than UK employees.

I have always argued that jobs should be kept in this country, but am aghast at the way that some employees feel it appropriate to speak to their employer and their customers.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I have always argued that jobs should be kept in this country, but am aghast at the way that some employees feel it appropriate to speak to their employee and their customers.

I would much rather that than the synthesised version of 'service' given by off-shore outsourced companies. They are taught our manners and customers but don't *understand* them. When My father passed away and I needed to sort out his VM details not one of the Asian agents I spoke to offered condolences or gave a sympathetic tone whereas each of the UK agents I spoke to did. With the Asians the call was all "business" with the occasional compulsory "And-how-are-you-today-Mr-Russ" thrown in whilst totally ignoring the fact I'd already told them about my father's passing.

If someone gives good service and does a good job while at work then only the most petty and no-real-life-of-their-own types would try to get them in trouble for something they say outside of work and in their own time.

I am equally filled with horror and shock the way some employers treat/speak to their employees (or employees of other companies), thinking they should be grateful they have a job, and expect them to kowtow and accept being spoken to/treated inappropriately.

We have moved on from the Victorian era, and employment should be a partnership between the parties involved, treating each other with respect, and ensuring customers are treated appropriately, with respect, but with the understanding that customers do not have the right to abuse, verbally or otherwise, employees.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Hugh

I am equally filled with horror and shock the way some employers treat/speak to their employees (or employees of other companies), thinking they should be grateful they have a job, and expect them to kowtow and accept being spoken to/treated inappropriately.

Given the employment market nowadays that sort of thing happens a lot. Many employers know that if a staff member objects to something, they can be shown the door safe in the knowledge there will be a queue of 100s waiting outside to take their place.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by Russ

I would much rather that than the synthesised version of 'service' given by off-shore outsourced companies. They are taught our manners and customers but don't *understand* them. When My father passed away and I needed to sort out his VM details not one of the Asian agents I spoke to offered condolences or gave a sympathetic tone whereas each of the UK agents I spoke to did. With the Asians the call was all "business" with the occasional compulsory "And-how-are-you-today-Mr-Russ" thrown in whilst totally ignoring the fact I'd already told them about my father's passing.

If someone gives good service and does a good job while at work then only the most petty and no-real-life-of-their-own types would try to get them in trouble for something they say outside of work and in their own time.

It is called following the script. Try calling HMR&C. Follow the script is the mantra & that is based in UK. Staff get into trouble if caught going off script

[Taf]

Isn't this basically what all bosses do?

Originally Posted by Taf

Isn't this basically what all bosses do?

Only if you believe that all employees are work-shy insolent lickspittles....

One size all-encompassing derogatory generalities do not usually advance a rational discussion.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Russ

I would much rather that than the synthesised version of 'service' given by off-shore outsourced companies. They are taught our manners and customers but don't *understand* them. When My father passed away and I needed to sort out his VM details not one of the Asian agents I spoke to offered condolences or gave a sympathetic tone whereas each of the UK agents I spoke to did. With the Asians the call was all "business" with the occasional compulsory "And-how-are-you-today-Mr-Russ" thrown in whilst totally ignoring the fact I'd already told them about my father's passing.

If someone gives good service and does a good job while at work then only the most petty and no-real-life-of-their-own types would try to get them in trouble for something they say outside of work and in their own time.

It depends on the seriousness of what they do. I can't think of anyone who would take action for no good reason.

I am sorry to hear about your father.

Originally Posted by Hugh

I am equally filled with horror and shock the way some employers treat/speak to their employees (or employees of other companies), thinking they should be grateful they have a job, and expect them to kowtow and accept being spoken to/treated inappropriately.

We have moved on from the Victorian era, and employment should be a partnership between the parties involved, treating each other with respect, and ensuring customers are treated appropriately, with respect, but with the understanding that customers do not have the right to abuse, verbally or otherwise, employees.

It depends. Sometimes a customer may be verbally abusive for good reason.

If this happens, I would expect an employee to deal with it in a professional and mature manner, using company policies and procedures.

Going into a sulk or retaliating are not valid options and invoke the disciplinary process. I have only ever had to do this twice.

Employment is a two way adult contract*, where people sell their labour to people who want to buy it.

Mostly, it is an equal relationship, but cannot always be so. Some employees, for example, possess little intelligence, are immature or chronologically very young.

These people need discipline and, amongst other things, educating about respecting older people.

Sadly, society is failing to teach many young people basic courtesy and the ability to read and write, let alone the unwritten rules of social graces.

* Having said this, it is also impossible to ignore the relevancy of this post:

Originally Posted by Russ

Given the employment market nowadays that sort of thing happens a lot. Many employers know that if a staff member objects to something, they can be shown the door safe in the knowledge there will be a queue of 100s waiting outside to take their place.

That said, whatever the job market, I have always required my employees to speak to their customers, employers, colleagues, suppliers etc with courtesy and respect.