Tag Archives: boss

Rousse’s new job

I’d never before applied for an academic job where all short-listed candidates were interviewed together. The panel comprised two well-respected academics: the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of an English university, who – quite out of character – had turned bad cop for the … Continue reading

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Failed funeral hair mission on the A286 (Rousse)

When I first took the phone call I thought it was my mother speaking, but as the north east accent became stronger I began to have doubts. If she were to be believed, an aunt had died and the funeral … Continue reading

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Office bombshell (Rousse)

It was the hottest news on campus. Just returned from holiday, I handed in my notice. By complete coincidence my boss did exactly the same. She agreed to another three months in post, whilst I would be out of the … Continue reading

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Ageism rife at Virgin Active (Rousse)

My boss at the Virgin Active gym took one look at me and said “I’m sending you home from work. I do not want to see here you again until you have dyed those grey roots black”.

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Interpretations of paternity rights at work (Rousse)

My boss suddenly remembered that he was the last of a noble line. It was now urgent that he become a father. If I’d understood that bearing a child was part of my job description, I would never have taken … Continue reading

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Rousse bakes mini lemon meringue pies while her husband holds court in the bath

My first problem was that I had to choose between three competing commitments all taking place on the same night. My second was that I had promised my boss that I would attend one of them. However, I now had … Continue reading

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Another Sunday in academia – with a hedgehog (Rousse)

If you have ever wondered how the typical academic spends a Sunday, the answer is straightforward: either at work, or thinking about work. This Sunday was no different from most others. TPR was entertaining himself elsewhere when I set off … Continue reading

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How to retain staff (Rousse)

I visited IS in his plush new London office. Everything – including the walls – was branded with either his name or initials. I wondered why the company had gone to such extremes. IS explained: (1) he was the boss … Continue reading

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Gloop for non-coffee drinker Rousse

I was just the placement student so I tolerated yet another change to arrangements to my office accommodation. When my boss realised that the two other heads of group had taken advantage of my sweet nature I made sure that … Continue reading

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Rousse nets £25 million research grant, and mends her glasses

The bad news at work was that I couldn’t shake off the ranting member of library staff from the University of Birmingham. It was unclear why she felt that she had to tail me all day, but I wished that … Continue reading

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