Email Rant: Work Culture ... PS vs Google

-----Original Message-----
From: public_servant
To: ncharney

We just had a meeting about accommodation, they're taking out all our resource areas and meeting areas and just shoving in a bunch of new cubes. Ugh!

-----Original Message-----
From: ncharney
To: public_servant

Nice - who needs open and collaborative workspaces when we can enjoy Orwellian cubefarms?

I long for the day where government offices are local, decentralized and based on co-working:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coworking

btw - barcamp was hosted at a great location (the codefactory) which should be the model for future workspace in the PS.


-----Original Message-----
From: public_servant
To: ncharney

You mean like working for Google?

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/inside_google/

-----Original Message-----
From: ncharney
To: public_servant

Great link.

Wouldn't it be refreshing if the PS had something akin to the top 10 reasons to work @ Google?

Link: http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/static.py?page=about.html&about=top10

-----Original Message-----
From: public_servant
To: ncharney

Seriously why am I NOT working at Google?

It's surprising that they they don't include public servants in their list of "interesting people who work at Google.

Come on! Who wouldn't want to sit across from a bureaucrat?

-----Original Message-----
From: ncharney
To: public_servant

Fyi this thread will most likely spur a post on the renewal blog, probably not a "rant" but I will use it as a spring board to redrafting the top 10 reasons to work for Google into the top 10 reasons that I would like to see associated for working for the government.

-----Original Message-----
From: public_servant
To: ncharney

That's cool.

I mean, it's absolutely mind boggling how private companies, who are VERY concerned with profit and therefore productivity have recognized that allowing people certain "perks" actually improves their productivity.

Meanwhile the GOC can't even handle giving us access to facebook because they think we'll start slacking off.

If google can allow their employees to swim, work out, get massages, play with their pets ALL on company time and still continue to be exceptionally successful, why is the GOC stuck on their old-school thinking?

It's frustrating.

-----Original Message-----
From: ncharney
To: public_servant

In return for their good karma Google receives a certain level of commitment from their employees.

In fact I wonder if they have EVER had a problem with someone complaining about over time. Probably not.

GoC is just lucky that Google doesn't have a big office in Otown or it would be shit out of luck.

-----Original Message-----
From: public_servant
To: ncharney

Very lucky indeed, and I'm sure people don't complain about over time.


-----Original Message-----
From: ncharney
To: mmangulabnan

Check this convo between me and public_servant re: work culture.

I want to use this to spring board into some sort discussion around Google's marketing of jobs, especially by trying create something GOC specific akin to their top 10 reasons to work for Google.

Not sure if it will be a spoof or a "future of ps thing" ... the former would be more entertaining, but it will (and should more aptly) end up as the latter.

-----Original Message-----
From: mmangulabnan
To: ncharney

... looking forward to your treatment.

-----Original Message-----
From: ncharney
To: mmangulabnan

Here - what the PS should aspire to:

Top 10 Reasons to Work at Google in the Public Service

1. Lend a helping hand. With millions of visitors interactions every month, Google the Government of Canada has become an essential part of everyday life - like a good friend - connecting people with the information and services they need to live great lives.

2. Life is beautiful. Being a part of something that matters and working on products delivering services in which you can believe is remarkably fulfilling.

3. Appreciation is the best motivation, so we’ve created a fun and inspiring workspace you’ll be glad to be a part of, including on-site doctor and dentist; massage and yoga; professional development opportunities; on-site day care; shoreline running trails; and plenty of snacks to get you through the day.

4. Work and play are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to code write policy, enforce regulation and provide services to Canadians and pass the puck at the same time.

5. We love our employees, and we want them to know it. Google the Public Service offers a variety of benefits, including a choice of medical programs, company-matched 401(k), stock options RRSP and RESP contributions, maternity and paternity leave, and much more.

6. Innovation is our bloodline. Even the best technology service delivery model can be improved. We see endless opportunity to create even more relevant, more useful, and faster products services for our users Canadians. Google is the technology leader in organizing the world’s information. The Government of Canada is leading public sector innovation.

7. Good company everywhere you look. Googlers Public Servants range from former neurosurgeons, CEOs, and U.S. puzzle curling champions to alligator beaver wrestlers and former Marines members of the Canadian Forces and even former Googlers! No matter what their backgrounds Googlers Public Servants make for interesting cube mates.

8. Uniting the world Country, one user Canadian at a time. People in every country province and territory and every language use our products services. As such we think, act, and work globally nationally- just our little contribution to making the world Canada a better place.

9. Boldly go where no one has gone before. There are hundreds of challenges yet to solve. Your creative ideas matter here and are worth exploring. You’ll have the opportunity to develop innovative new products and services that millions of people will find useful.

10. There is such a thing as a free lunch after all. In fact we have them every day: healthy, yummy, and made with love.

-----Original Message-----
From: mmangulabnan
To: ncharney

I think it's funny that you have no modifications for 3, and 10.

-----Original Message-----
From: ncharney
To: mmangulabnan

Yeah but appreciation is the best motivation, couple that with a free lunch and renewal would be ‘un fait accompli’.