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Trouble brewing over $63K coffee machine spend

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  • BentleighBean
    replied
    I was at a Federal government department (that worked early morning and late night shifts) where the accountant - who loved coffee - had a 2 group machine installed, way back in 1991! It was self-funding, as we all had to pay for our each coffee we took (although it was cheaper than retail). There was absolute hell to pay - not from anyone outside, but from others in the organisation (in other states and buildings) who were stuck with instant! The machine went soon after ..... ... just as I went on to late, late shift ....

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  • csutak40
    replied
    Originally posted by Rocky View Post
    Public Servants are no more lazy than anyone else. It's about the individual and their work ethic, not about where they work.(I have also worked in Private Enterprise)
    I have to agree. I, too, have worked both in Private Enterprise and in Local Council. There are always people who have a talent for getting away with doing very little and others who end up having to pick up the slack.

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  • Yash
    replied
    I guess the point here is that the government department wouldn't be paying for their staff's latte's at the local coffee shop. And technically if a staff member goes on an excursion to get a coffee it should be on their time (even though its a healthy thing to do). So not buying the machines WILL save the government.

    BUT seeing as coffee from an office auto machine (if you can drink them!) is way more economical then coffee's from a coffee shop, the solution would be to simply charge staff the 'cost' price of the coffee (~ 50 cents). Problem solved!

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  • Rocky
    replied
    I recently retired from the Public Service after 40 years in a big variety of State and Federal Departments at various levels.
    I never worked in a Department where tea/coffee/milk was provided by the employer. It was always managed by the Social Club.
    There was usually an electric jug or a ZipBoil provided and occasionally in recent years, a Dripolator.
    For many years I provided my own dripolator, coffee etc for my work-related meetings. In more recent years the 'makings' got charged to my Corporate Card.
    Public Servants are no more lazy than anyone else. It's about the individual and their work ethic, not about where they work.(I have also worked in Private Enterprise)
    I would not dare provide a coffee machine in any workplace without providing a skilled person to operate and maintain it. It would be stuffed in nothing flat.
    If staff pull their weight I have no problem with them going out to get a cup of decent coffee - as long as there is no negative impact on service to the public.
    As has been said, the article was 'filler' quality. I would want to know more about how the machines were used - eg. hospitality etc. Some Departments do more of this than others. When you are regularly hosting meetings and training it makes sense to have certain facilities.
    The only times I have seen 'flash' fittings and facilities is when politicians were involved.

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  • blend52
    replied
    Originally posted by SPECTRE View Post
    What does a tea lady/man cost?.
    Not many organisations can justify that kind of role these days ! ........................sadly!

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  • SPECTRE
    replied
    What does a tea lady/man cost?

    say $35k pa. Throw in 20% on costs that's $42k pa
    Now this tea lady/man would work 38 hours per week.
    Most govt departments would work longer hours so you'd need another part time, so now we are up around $60k in wages alone.

    Buying a automatic machine may save costs.

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  • chokkidog
    replied
    Originally posted by flynnaus View Post
    Perhaps you should read the article again. It's about claims of excessive government spending
    "Given Labor's promise to rein in spending and exercise fiscal restraint I would've thought one of the first savings measures would've been swapping the taxpayer-funded macchiato, latte or mocha for a tin of instant blend and a kettle."

    Read more: Trouble brewing over $63K coffee machine spend

    Or perhaps take your own advice

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  • chokkidog
    replied
    Every article, like the one in question, has a sub text........... I'm just going beyond the shallow, facile and obvious.
    By the way, I read it about 4 times.
    So don't bother telling me I should have read it 5 times 8-)
    Last edited by chokkidog; 12 December 2012, 12:41 AM. Reason: post my own retort

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  • flynnaus
    replied
    Originally posted by chokkidog View Post
    .... it's a feeble attempt at pandering to the insecure types who think there is something inherently wrong about a good or decent cup of coffee.
    It smacks of tall poppy.
    Perhaps you should read the article again. It's about claims of excessive government spending

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  • chokkidog
    replied
    As 'FC' says above, talk about slow news day, the article is ho hum and bunkum. I don't think we need to comment on the politics other than to say it's a feeble attempt at pandering to the insecure types who think there is something inherently wrong about a good or decent cup of coffee.
    It smacks of tall poppy.

    To me, it's more about the political agenda of the press and the tendency of most sectors of the press to sensationalise a topic by only providing half the facts.
    To most ordinary people, 100k is a lot of money, so it becomes easy to manipulate the opinion of the majority, what is not provided is the other side of the maths.
    Playing around with the known figure of 37k (spent on coffee) shows some startling results, starting with how many cups are likely to have been made.............

    Come on Canberra Times, give us all a break. I'll have mine with a coffee, thanks.

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  • Barry O'Speedwagon
    replied
    Originally posted by flynnaus View Post
    Well it's become a fairly generic term, not just on CS, to refer to the push-a-button automation of the coffee-making process and I haven't seen a more apt term yet.
    Instinctively, I agree...but then, if you think about it....the term 'automatic' seems perfectly sufficient. Particularly if one views something like a Saeco Magic or equiv as semi-auto.

    Originally posted by flynnaus View Post
    Question (b) is about whether it is better to have automatic or manual coffee machine in an office. We all know that neither will be used properly by some staff. I'm sure we've all seen kitchens with instant and tea bags are the only options abused: teabags left in the sink; coffee granules in the sugar; open a new carton milk rather than use one already opened.
    No worries, I was just explaining my own initial reply to your OP.

    How about finding a Lapsang Souchong teabag abandoned inside the kettle? Makes for a great tasting aeropress coffee.

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  • flynnaus
    replied
    Guys there is no such thing as "super auto".
    Well it's become a fairly generic term, not just on CS, to refer to the push-a-button automation of the coffee-making process and I haven't seen a more apt term yet.

    My question re the X9 being a super auto was in response to the phrasing of your question b)
    Question (b) is about whether it is better to have automatic or manual coffee machine in an office. We all know that neither will be used properly by some staff. I'm sure we've all seen kitchens with instant and tea bags are the only options abused: teabags left in the sink; coffee granules in the sugar; open a new carton milk rather than use one already opened.

    Leave a comment:


  • Barry O'Speedwagon
    replied
    Originally posted by Whiteman View Post
    Huh? Are we talking about a government department and productivity in the same chapter? Not trying to be a smart**se but seriously, I've never seen a govt dept deliberately try and be more productive (of course they'll hire expensive consultants to talk about it and go on expensive team building weekends in Peppers resorts). Coffee machines are seen as status symbols on the same way as "he who dies with the most toys, wins!".
    And what is your basis for these assertions? Have you ever been party to decision-making within such organisations? There's no denying that organisation where there is no hard market incentive for profit are typically less efficient than others, but it's drawing a very long bow to suggest that management in these organisations don't try to be more productive. I'm not a public servant (and never have been), but I know a few very senior ones, and they would put many (not all) of my private sector colleagues to shame in terms of their effort, ability and dedication to service. There are plenty of lazy ones of course, but trite generalisation really aren't very helpful.

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  • Whiteman
    replied
    Originally posted by Fresh_Coffee View Post
    Original reply edited:

    a) what's important is that "the powers that be" inside that department must think it is good for staff productivity / morale otherwise there is no way known they would get involved
    Huh? Are we talking about a government department and productivity in the same chapter? Not trying to be a smart**se but seriously, I've never seen a govt dept deliberately try and be more productive (of course they'll hire expensive consultants to talk about it and go on expensive team building weekends in Peppers resorts). Coffee machines are seen as status symbols on the same way as "he who dies with the most toys, wins!".

    Leave a comment:


  • Barry O'Speedwagon
    replied
    Originally posted by blend52 View Post
    You have to consider the "cultural" reference or what is normal in that part of the world. ?
    coming from the UK, you would struggle to find a kettle in a office situation, you were fortunate if there was a coffee vending m/c in the same block ! ( and you had to pay yourself )
    Yes...though i worked at a place in Bristol that had a machine....with an accompanying 50p honesty jar.
    Originally posted by blend52 View Post
    So, i dont know what is "normal" in Swiss offices, but they are renown for high standards .
    I reckon their coffee would have a very neutral flavour.

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