From DIANE JONES
Simpson bemoans the predicament of academics having to do irksome low-grade
administrative tasks. ‘The result was an extensive misuse of time by highly
trained, highly educated, highly intelligent people . . .’
As a relatively well-trained, educated and intelligent person – BSc(Hons)
– employed as the lowest grade of clerical officer by a large organisation,
I find this arrogant attitude commonplace. He should, if possible, stop
to consider that those at the nadir of the pecking order in his institute
may also be highly trained, educated and intelligent victims of the current
economic climate – some may even have PhDs! I do not have a ‘chip on my
shoulder’, but less qualified, more senior colleagues of mine tend to treat
my fellow administrators and I with similar contempt.
Diane Jones Liverpool
