... just as I went on to late, late shift ....
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Trouble brewing over $63K coffee machine spend
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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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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.Originally posted by Rocky View PostPublic 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)
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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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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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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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"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."Originally posted by flynnaus View PostPerhaps you should read the article again. It's about claims of excessive government spending
Read more: Trouble brewing over $63K coffee machine spend
Or perhaps take your own advice
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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-)
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Perhaps you should read the article again. It's about claims of excessive government spendingOriginally 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.
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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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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 PostWell 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.
No worries, I was just explaining my own initial reply to your OP.Originally posted by flynnaus View PostQuestion (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.
How about finding a Lapsang Souchong teabag abandoned inside the kettle? Makes for a great tasting aeropress coffee.
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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.Guys there is no such thing as "super auto".
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.My question re the X9 being a super auto was in response to the phrasing of your question b)
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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.Originally posted by Whiteman View PostHuh? 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!".
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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!".Originally posted by Fresh_Coffee View PostOriginal 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
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Yes...though i worked at a place in Bristol that had a machine....with an accompanying 50p honesty jar.Originally posted by blend52 View PostYou 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 )
I reckon their coffee would have a very neutral flavour.Originally posted by blend52 View PostSo, i dont know what is "normal" in Swiss offices, but they are renown for high standards .
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