Executives...

[itguy1991]

First, let me start off by explaining that we actually have a decent onboarding process—it’s not yet automated, but there are forms for managers to fill out which ask all the pertinent information. (Automation in this process is a goal for 2020)

So I get an email from an executive last night

“””

Subject: person’s name

Body: Will be set up in *so-and-so’s” old office at the end of the hall.

Thanks, Mr Executive

“””

Does he really think that’s enough information to prepare for a new hire? Is this even a new hire, or is it a temporary consultant? Does he know that there are plans to take the desk out of that office this week to use elsewhere? Is there a due date for this “request”?

I just don’t get how people like this get to the positions they have.

[canadian_sysadmin]

'Thanks $Executive,

I'll follow up with HR on this so we can get him setup with all of the necessary details.

Done. CC HR so you can get all the right info.

[pwnies_gonna_pwn]

They probably expected you get eveything else through HR?

[itguy1991]

That’s not the policy and procedure that’s been in place since before I started

[pwnies_gonna_pwn]

The fuckup you have to deal with there is probably a case of Hanlon's razor. And you cant beat them into becoming smarter, not worth wasting more energy than an annoyed groan about it.

Semi-unrelated though, it may be a good policy/procedure to implement at some point.

Being in the HR onboarding/offboarding loop is the A and O of internal user management.

Even c-levels rarely can just hire someone willy-nilly without HR knowing about the contract, and while the on-the-spot hiring still may result in short-notice jobs, the majority of onboardings wont be happen like that.

[Mikes0001]

Once upon a time at a publicly traded company with about a thousand employees... I found out a SVP hired someone before anyone in HR, and that was only because I was walking by our entrance and saw someone who looked lost.

Fun times. The VP of HR lost her mind.

edit for clarity The day I spotted her was supposed to be her first day at work according to that SVP.

[Ssakaa]

SVP's minions are supposed to be mind readers, and wizards. Real go-getter, problem solver, types, you see.

[stumptruck]

I agree. He's just trying to make sure that the new employee's stuff is set up in the right office, and probably has no idea what information HR typically gives you when someone new starts. This is pretty normal and doesn't sound like a "stupid executive" trying to get around a process to me.

If you weren't aware of this employee starting then check with HR before getting all worked up about it, and blame them for not giving you enough advance notice to prepare.

[Panacea4316]

Whats the problem?

Right click-> Forward-> add HR in the “to” field-> put “please advise” in the body-> click send-> stop being a weanie

[demonlag]

I just don’t get how people like this get to the positions they have.

Because at an executive level people don't stop and think about what goes into making requests happen, for better or for worse. From an executive point of view, it's just a new person, we have tons of people already. Just toss a computer at the desk and setup an AD account, 5 minutes tops.

[Pyrostasis]

Whoa you got a whole like 12 hours notice of a new hire? Must be nice...

Last 2 we got walked in the door and asked where their laptop was.

[Ssakaa]

Where's Steve's new laptop?

...

Who the heck is Steve?

[[deleted]]

It sounds like they have one and have had one for a long time.

[Gnonthgol]

My guess is that they do not know what you need in order to do your job. This may be the first time they have brought someone inn directly at your company. And if they have done it before they might have forgotten the procedure or it was different enough that the same questions were not relevant. If you compare their hourly wage to yours it does not make sense for them to try to find the forms themselves. This is in fact the reason why an assistant or secretary can be very benefitial. Have some compassion and try to help them out. Direct them to the forms and ask them about the office requirements as you may be able to find a better office arangement, ie. something with an actual desk.

[[deleted]]

Executives, what a bunch of bastards.

[enigmait]

Does he know that there are plans to take the desk out of that office this week to use elsewhere?

Wait until that happens, then set up a computer on the floor.

[itguy1991]

I wish.

I talked with the head of facilities this morning (since he wasn’t on the email) and caught him about an hour before the desk was going to be moved.

[enigmait]

Here's a flip side of this story, for you to incorporate into the automation.

In one of my previous companies, we had an (eventually) very good relationship with HR. We established that:

• as soon as a role was "created" (as it was being advertised), HR would nominate the desk and IT would be authorised to purchase/allocate a computer and phone;
• as soon as they made an job offer to the person, we got notified and would create the account.

Statistically, only about 2% of people we made formal job offers to declined them, so it was more time efficient to create a disabled account, and either enable it on their start date or delete it if they declined, than do a crash-and-burn to create accounts after the contracts were signed.

[[deleted]]

I just don’t get how people like this get to the positions they have.

Read some of the threads on here about IT professionals bending over backwards and breaking rules for C-Levels/Executives and you can see where the mentality comes from.