working at virgin media? anyone as a Project coordinator?

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I don't see why anybody should have to say where they work- I don't!

If people think you are working undercover, so be it!

Still, I can see where verification that someone does actually work for VM is useful when advice is being given.

The problem with that is that VM staff can be compared with staff in the real world, who, for example, may be wearing a VM uniform.

An example of this was when a fortnight ago a "Street Marshall" was in one of our clubs in his uniform after finishing work.

He was drunk and dancing, but not causing any trouble. Before long one of his bosses turned up and was overheard to tell him to "go home, look in the mirror and have a word with himself". Thankfully an informal word in his ear was all that was deemed neccessary (and, in my experience, is what resolves most workplace problems).

Imagine a similar scenario had a VM installer had been in the club whilst still in uniform and (for the purposes of comparison) had a "my views are my own" disclaimer on the back of his jacket.

He may be off duty and acting in a personal capacity, but, like it or not, anything that he does indirectly represents VM

If he had begun to annoy people, they would have associated him with VM and i'm sure management would have something to say on the matter.

It's for the same reason that company vans encourage other road users to report selfish drivers of company vans (who may not actualy be breaking the law)- they represent the company.

None of the above actually applies to anything posted in this thread by a recognised member of staff, as for one our desks are not mobile and we tend to stay indoors due to the nature of our workstations.

You do realise the the OP is not a member of staff and nor are they using a signature to say that they are a member of staff.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

I understand what you are saying, but...

By declaring that I work for VM, I have been able to help many a customer/poster with problems. If I didn't say who I was, then most posters would say "and who are you?" "how can you raise a ticket?" "how do you know that...?"

It just saves having to explain every time that you are staff and can actually help.

I liked helping customers on here...

Yes, I can see why it would be useful. I'm glad that you like helping customers

Originally Posted by Hugh

Richard, it seems that you are trying stop VM employees from disagreeing with you by deploying specious propositions (as above) - you appear to be confusing "daring to disagree with you" with "bringing VM into disrepute", and you try to inflate the impact of posting behaviours by comparing them with being drunk & disorderly whilst in uniform.

It has been explained to you a number of times that VM management have agreed a forum signature / behaviour guidelines for those VM staff who wish to post on this and other forums - just because you disagree with those guidelines, doesn't make them wrong...

If any posters, including VM staff, break the forum rules (which include insulting or inappropriate behaviours), they are warned and/or infracted (and in extreme cases, suspended or banned) - this has not been deemed necessary in any of the discussions involving you and VM staff.

I have no problem with people of opposing views- we live in a free society- as long as VM employees represent the company and address customers in an appropriate manner whilst expressing them.

The comparison was made to compare a similar situation in my working life. Incidentally, it was not inflated. The person in question was not being disorderly and innapropriate posting behaviour could have far more serious ramifications for VM staff than dancing in a nightclub whilst in uniform.

I did/do not need any explanations re VM forum policy. I am perfectly aware of it as a senior manager at VM is a close friend of mine and we have discussed this subject in the past. Notwithstanding this, I think you will find that staff who upset or annoy customers and/or paint the company in a bad light, without necessarily breaching VM policies, will be dealt with.

Only a fool would risk causing problems for themselves in the workplace for the sake of seeing what they can get away with on a forum.

I have less interest in the forum rules than I have in ensuring that VM staff behave appropriately- a lot of money has been spent keeping this company afloat to keep staff in employment.

What I find most intriguing and "ironic" is why a moderator would wish to try and stir things up on a forum that they work on. I appreciate that your comments were not in bold, but, that further strenghtens my view that it is impossible to disassociate oneself from differing roles in life and could lead to accusations of unprofessionalism.

Originally Posted by Nopanic

From my point of view, VM has politely requested I make it known I work for VM .. in doing so I advertise that I maybe able to offer support to other forum users.

However, as I post in my own time and do not represent VM, I will post how I feel is appropriate.

The forum rules however dictate that I must follow a set of guidelines or the owner of the forum will not allow me to post, these rules I choose to accept when I post here.

---------- Post added at 10:26 ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 ----------



We do employee some high profit, short term contracts.

Feel free to post however you like, but do bear in mind my earlier comments.

Originally Posted by Masque

None of the above actually applies to anything posted in this thread by a recognised member of staff, as for one our desks are not mobile and we tend to stay indoors due to the nature of our workstations.

You do realise the the OP is not a member of staff and nor are they using a signature to say that they are a member of staff.

Yes, although the OP has stated that they are a VM employee, this has not yet been verified.

The OP could simply have posted complete nonsense, with the intention of discrediting VM for some reason. It is interesting to note that s/he has not returned since.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Yes, although the OP has stated that they are a VM employee, this has not yet been verified.

The OP could simply have posted complete nonsense, with the intention of discrediting VM for some reason. It is interesting to note that s/he has not returned since.

The OP said they were starting in a few weeks and had already been delayed by 2 weeks so they may never be an employee, so unless they comeback we will never know.

[RichardCoulter]

Very true, if this person has ended up working for VM, I personally don't think that the attitude and conduct displayed on here makes them suitable.

I shall have a discreet word in someones ear. Why should one rotten apple spoil the whole crop

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Very true, if this person has ended up working for VM, I personally don't think that the attitude and conduct displayed on here makes them suitable.

I shall have a discreet word in someones ear. Why should one rotten apple spoil the whole crop

No one would even know who that person is anyway.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Very true, if this person has ended up working for VM, I personally don't think that the attitude and conduct displayed on here makes them suitable.

I shall have a discreet word in someones ear. Why should one rotten apple spoil the whole crop

For the person whose ear you'll be speaking in to to take action they would need to have from us the IP and VM staff email address they use in order to identify them.

Unless someone is breaking the law and we are subsequently approached with a court order demanding that information, Cable Forum will NOT share any user's information with anybody. Save or bookmark this page if you like, assuming we're still here, this will apply today as it will in 20 years' time.

Richard, you stated

Notwithstanding this, I think you will find that staff who upset or annoy customers and/or paint the company in a bad light, without necessarily breaching VM policies, will be dealt with.

So you are stating that VM would discipline or treat negatively a member of staff who hasn't breached any policies, merely on your say-so?

You also state

What I find most intriguing and "ironic" is why a moderator would wish to try and stir things up on a forum that they work on

Two things
a) I don't "work" on this forum - my efforts are purely voluntary, like all the mods.
b) I refer you to my previous posting, where I stated that

you appear to be confusing "daring to disagree with you" with "bringing VM into disrepute"

you now appear to be extending that behaviour by confusing "daring to disagree with you" with "a moderator would wish to try to stir things up".

Disagreeing is not trying to stir things up - funny how when you disgree with people, you don't view it in the same light....

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Russ

For the person whose ear you'll be speaking in to to take action they would need to have from us the IP and VM staff email address they use in order to identify them.

Unless someone is breaking the law and we are subsequently approached with a court order demanding that information, Cable Forum will NOT share any user's information with anybody. Save or bookmark this page if you like, assuming we're still here, this will apply today as it will in 20 years' time.

Must admit Russ that did make me wonder when he said "I shall have a discreet word in someones ear. Why should one rotten apple spoil the whole crop" I wonder who he is if he thinks he can influence VM like that ???

Thanks for reaffirming the forums stance

[Russ]

In case anyone missed it, let me reiterate Cable Forum policy so there are no misunderstandings.

Unless someone is using Cable Forum to break the law, we will not pass anyone's details on to Virgin Media or any other organisation. The obvious exception to this is if we are approached with a court order demanding we pass over information. To date this has never happened.

Regardless of who anyone knows (or who they think they know), nobody - and I repeat nobody - will obtain any personally identifying information from us about any of our users.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Masque

No one would even know who that person is anyway.

I've just finished a telephone conversation. I've been told that it may be difficult, but not impossible, to trace the individual in question with the limited information available. I do actually hope that the OP is a troll, rather than someone who may be considered for or actually be working for VM.

Originally Posted by Russ

For the person whose ear you'll be speaking in to to take action they would need to have from us the IP and VM staff email address they use in order to identify them.

Unless someone is breaking the law and we are subsequently approached with a court order demanding that information, Cable Forum will NOT share any user's information with anybody. Save or bookmark this page if you like, assuming we're still here, this will apply today as it will in 20 years' time.

IP and email addresses are not the only way to identify people. I am glad that you are aware of your obligations under the Data Protection Act.

Originally Posted by Hugh

Richard, you stated
So you are stating that VM would discipline or treat negatively a member of staff who hasn't breached any policies, merely on your say-so?

You also state Two things
a) I don't "work" on this forum - my efforts are purely voluntary, like all the mods.
b) I refer you to my previous posting, where I stated that you now appear to be extending that behaviour by confusing "daring to disagree with you" with "a moderator would wish to try to stir things up".

Disagreeing is not trying to stir things up - funny how when you disgree with people, you don't view it in the same light....

I would not expect VM to take any action without any evidence being presented.

You do work on this forum, albeit in a voluntary capacity. In any case, regardless of whether you get paid or not, you should behave professionally.

You are entitled to disagree with me or anybody else, however, I do not believe that talking in riddles and stirring things up is an appropriate way to conduct oneself, moderator or otherwise.

I am still waiting for an explanation to your comment that my criticisms of the OP were "ironic". Please explain.

I also do not want this thread to give the impression that there is a huge problem with VM staff and their conduct on forums. In the vast majority of cases, staff help out customers in their free time and this is to be applauded.

I have only ever known three instances where I considered staff behaviour to be inappropriate. The first two were dealt with almost immediately by a retraction and an apology and the third individual was spoken to by management. This incident was eventually sorted out satisfactorily, but, unfortunately, I believe this damaged his promotion prospects.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

IP and email addresses are not the only way to identify people. I am glad that you are aware of your obligations under the Data Protection Act.

You'd do well to bear in mind we have zero responsibilities under the DPA. Our server is based in Germany and the forum is owned by a Canadian resident.

Despite your claims of bravado, Virgin Media will not be able to identify anyone posting on here unless that individual has made their identity known by other means.

We've had this situation several times in the past and each time it has amounted to nothing.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

You are entitled to disagree with me or anybody else, however, I do not believe that talking in riddles and stirring things up is an appropriate way to conduct oneself, moderator or otherwise.

The admin team will decide what is and is not appropriate use on CF.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I have only ever known three instances where I considered staff behaviour to be inappropriate. The first two were dealt with almost immediately by a retraction and an apology and the third individual was spoken to by management. This incident was eventually sorted out satisfactorily, but, unfortunately, I believe this damaged his promotion prospects.

I'm sure that made you feel very good about yourself. However no VM employee should be concerned about their employer finding out who they are on CF. However for balance, that is not a licence to be abusive towards other users (we've had to have the odd quiet word in the past but nothing serious).

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Richard Coulter

I've just finished a telephone conversation. I've been told that it may be difficult, but not impossible, to trace the individual in question with the limited information available. I do actually hope that the OP is a troll, rather than someone who may be considered for or actually be working for VM.



IP and email addresses are not the only way to identify people. I am glad that you are aware of your obligations under the Data Protection Act.



I would not expect VM to take any action without any evidence being presented.

You do work on this forum, albeit in a voluntary capacity. In any case, regardless of whether you get paid or not, you should behave professionally.

You are entitled to disagree with me or anybody else, however, I do not believe that talking in riddles and stirring things up is an appropriate way to conduct oneself, moderator or otherwise.

I am still waiting for an explanation to your comment that my criticisms of the OP were "ironic". Please explain.

I also do not want this thread to give the impression that there is a huge problem with VM staff and their conduct on forums. In the vast majority of cases, staff help out customers in their free time and this is to be applauded.

I have only ever known three instances where I considered staff behaviour to be inappropriate. The first two were dealt with almost immediately by a retraction and an apology and the third individual was spoken to by management. This incident was eventually sorted out satisfactorily, but, unfortunately, I believe this damaged his promotion prospects.

I have always accepted a bit of banter from customers towards staff it can be fun , There was one person who said he would report us but changed his mind, This is the first time someone on here has actually gone ahead and reported a member of staff on here to VM, Thanks for removing that trust wonder how i change my user name and remain anonymous on here, I know the forum admins have said no info will be passed but the last we need is someone phoning VM because he thinks he can get someone sacked or punished and we are then looking over our shoulders in case they work out who we are

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by Sirius

I have always accepted a bit of banter from customers towards staff it can be fun , There was one person who said he would report us but changed his mind, This is the first time someone on here has actually gone ahead and reported a member of staff on here to VM, Thanks for removing that trust wonder how i change my user name and remain anonymous on here, I know the forum admins have said no info will be passed but the last we need is someone phoning VM because he thinks he can get someone sacked or punished and we are then looking over our shoulders in case they work out who we are

Actually it is not as a certain other member stated on here a few months back that they had as for some reason they thought it strange that a staff member was posting during the working week obviously not thinking that person may have been on holiday at the time and I was oddly enough.

They know who they are and they made a fool of themselves.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Masque

Actually it is not as a certain other member stated on here a few months back that they had as for some reason they thought it strange that a staff member was posting during the working week obviously not thinking that person may have been on holiday at the time and I was oddly enough.

They know who they are and they made a fool of themselves.

Nail and head

---------- Post added at 20:24 ---------- Previous post was at 20:22 ----------

Originally Posted by Russ

(we've had to have the odd quiet word in the past but nothing serious).

[thenry]

not trying to blow my own horn so-to-speak but i think i gave a decent enough reply which the op would of taken on board. if by chance the op was stuck up and didn't; i'm sure the said person meeting VM would of realized the company holds values opposite to those views the ordinary person has. if the OPs attitude persists in said position then VM themselves would raised questions.

RichardCoulter; can I ask whether or not you've been a VM employee before or even been in contact with heads up top at VM at any point prior to this?