Working on broken computers is not usually fun. This is particularly true when you work on them for a living. People with broken machines usually only find out they're broken when they need them for something particularly urgent, and the more urgent the task or complicated the problem the more likely they are to take their frustration out on the IT guy.
The next time you feel the need to freak out at how long something is going to take to fix, or scream at the IT guy that "I need this back now!" DON'T DO IT. IT workers are like any other service industry worker. The more poorly you treat them the less likely it is your problem will get the level of attention you want it to.
This is not to say that I or any of my brethren will drag our feet at fixing your problem. Some of us might of course, but that isn't really the primary issue is that you're distracting me from doing my actual job. IT workers have emotions just like every one else. Like you we don't do our best work when we're pissed off.
Here are some other tips for dealing with your local IT guy:
1) Don't call repeatedly for "status updates". This one should be simple. If we're talking to you on the phone, chances are we aren't fixing your problem. If we tell you that we're working on something, we're working on something. Unless it's been an exceptionally long time since you've notified us of the problem you can safely assume we're doing our best to solve your problem
2) If we ask you to do something, do it. We know you think you've already done whatever it is we're asking you to do, but there's a reason we're asking you to do it. You might not have done something in exactly the way it needs to be done. We may have made a change that allows that particular fix to work. Don't argue. Don't say "I already did that". Just do as we ask.
3) Be available. This one is something of a pet peeve of mine. What you called us to fix is YOUR problem. If we need information, we need YOU to be available to give us that information. Please do not assume that we have every piece of information we will ever need to fix the problem the moment you call us. We might need further information from you. We might need you to do something on your system so that we can diagnose it. We understand that you are busy doing other things, but we are not magicians.
4) Lastly, show some gratitude. IT workers are not saints. We are not automatons. We like to feel as though we have made some difference. If your IT guy feels that you appreciate the work that he does, then he will be more likely to work above and beyond his usual methods to fix whatever is wrong. And there will be less stress all around. I'm not asking to be placed on a pedestal, but a little consideration goes a long way.
I actually like most of my users. This makes me feel a bit blessed. I know others who go into work each day and want to bask their head into the wall dealing with some of their users. Following these suggestions can help make everyone’s experience better all around
Also, better choices in the vending machine can’t hurt.
The next time you feel the need to freak out at how long something is going to take to fix, or scream at the IT guy that "I need this back now!" DON'T DO IT. IT workers are like any other service industry worker. The more poorly you treat them the less likely it is your problem will get the level of attention you want it to.
This is not to say that I or any of my brethren will drag our feet at fixing your problem. Some of us might of course, but that isn't really the primary issue is that you're distracting me from doing my actual job. IT workers have emotions just like every one else. Like you we don't do our best work when we're pissed off.
Here are some other tips for dealing with your local IT guy:
1) Don't call repeatedly for "status updates". This one should be simple. If we're talking to you on the phone, chances are we aren't fixing your problem. If we tell you that we're working on something, we're working on something. Unless it's been an exceptionally long time since you've notified us of the problem you can safely assume we're doing our best to solve your problem
2) If we ask you to do something, do it. We know you think you've already done whatever it is we're asking you to do, but there's a reason we're asking you to do it. You might not have done something in exactly the way it needs to be done. We may have made a change that allows that particular fix to work. Don't argue. Don't say "I already did that". Just do as we ask.
3) Be available. This one is something of a pet peeve of mine. What you called us to fix is YOUR problem. If we need information, we need YOU to be available to give us that information. Please do not assume that we have every piece of information we will ever need to fix the problem the moment you call us. We might need further information from you. We might need you to do something on your system so that we can diagnose it. We understand that you are busy doing other things, but we are not magicians.
4) Lastly, show some gratitude. IT workers are not saints. We are not automatons. We like to feel as though we have made some difference. If your IT guy feels that you appreciate the work that he does, then he will be more likely to work above and beyond his usual methods to fix whatever is wrong. And there will be less stress all around. I'm not asking to be placed on a pedestal, but a little consideration goes a long way.
I actually like most of my users. This makes me feel a bit blessed. I know others who go into work each day and want to bask their head into the wall dealing with some of their users. Following these suggestions can help make everyone’s experience better all around
Also, better choices in the vending machine can’t hurt.
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