[Bcma-l] Help!!
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:36:02 -0700
I agree that museums are a business and there should be a contract with the
students. Also in a business, if you are paying an employee, a dress code
is part of operating a professional business and when an employee is being
paid, the hours of work are for work, not visting amongst the staff, but
doing some meaningful work. In a museum or heritage site, there is ALWAYS
work to be done. If Jason is concerned about some of the comments about the
lack of work ethic, in the business world, the employer anticipates they
will get a day's work for a day's pay. Jason's concern about being
custodians of our heritage, (which I was pleased to see a student concerned
about our history and heritage), when it comes to ability and
professionalism, you have to appreciate that this resonates for both the
employer and employee.
To ensure the employer relates their expectations to the employee, there
must be a contract and a detailed job desription so that BOTH parties are
aware of the expectations of the site and employer. At London Heritage Farm
we have had some wonderful student employees who enjoy the ineraction with
the public, finding new challenges and progra as well as some mediocre ones
that had to be constantly pushed to do the expected job and had little or no
inrterest in what they were doing nor giving a days work for a day's pay.
I am happy that Jason is concerned, as it is a reminder to the employer that
they need to operate in a professional manner and hopefully Jason might be
able to get the message to the students looking for a job, that
professionalism and success are a two way street - don't just criticise
those who are paying the wages.
Ron Hyde
London Heritage Farm Society
-----Original Message-----
From: bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca [mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca]
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 2:58 PM
To: bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Subject: Re: [Bcma-l] Help!!
I'm shocked and amazed at the opinions being expressed here about young
people. No wonder we're not working in the sector.
I'm not surprised at all with the continued cuts to the sector, if this is
the level of communication and tone of "advocacy".
Contracts are Business 101, and, like it or not, a museum is a business and
you need to operate in a sustainable manner.
It is irresponsible to "employ" without some kind of contract or job
description, and I'm also reminded of the discussion of the distinction
between "contractor" and "employee".
You are the custodians of our heritage, and this conduct is not inspiring
confidence in your ability or professionalism.
Jason W. George,
Disillusioned
> Amen TO THAT!
> What DO YOU DO WHEN THEY JUST DON'T SEEM TO GET IT AFTER TALKING ABOUT
> IT ABOUT 15 TIMES?
>
> 2008/8/21 <bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca>
>
>> I say, a huge, resounding, yes to both.
>>
>> Regarding contracts: at least some form of written documentation
>> detailing the start and end dates of the work term, hours of work,
>> scheduling, requests for time off, any conditions of the student
>> funding that you have to meet, etc, that the student reads and
>> understands, and signs to indicate that they have read and
>> understood. I have to fall back on this almost every year -
>> inevitably, I have one student who wants all sorts of time off, or to
>> leave early to party with friends before the semester starts, and
>> that can really mess with the terms of your student funding.
>>
>> And for dress code: there are a lot of students out there who have no
>> clue what is appropriate attire for work. I used to not specify a
>> dress code
>> -
>> and had students showing up in everything from torn jeans, four-inch
>> heels, crop tops and halter tops, and - I am not making this up - a
>> bikini, flip-flops, and cut-off shorts because she was leaving right
>> after work for a beach party. I have also learned to specify that
>> any outfit that allows me to see what colour their bra/thong/boxers
>> are, is unacceptable. We just expect neat, clean, shirts with
>> sleeves and collar and long enough to be tucked in, no jeans. I
>> think you can require a specific look (e.g. any white shirt, any blue
>> or black slacks), but if you want your staff to wear a standard
>> uniform you need to provide it.
>>
>> Tammy
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>> Tammy Hardwick
>> Manager,
>> Creston & District Museum & Archives
>> 219 Devon Street, Creston, BC V0B 1G3 Phone (250) 428-9262 Fax (250)
>> 428-3324 Email mail@creston.museum.bc.ca www.creston.museum.bc.ca
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> *From:* bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca
>> *To:* BCMA-L <bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca>
>> *Sent:* Thursday, August 21, 2008 11:10 AM
>> *Subject:* [Bcma-l] Help!!
>>
>> A couple of questions ??
>> Being new to the museum scene, I need all the help I can get!
>>
>> 1 Do museums generally enter into contracts with the students they
>> employ ?
>>
>> 2 Are dress codes a general rule for museum staff ?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Ted Scott, Pres.
>> Parksville & Dist. Historical Society
>> 1245 E.Island Hwy.
>> Parksville B.C V9P2E5
>>
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
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>> Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.6/1625 - Release Date:
>> 8/21/2008 6:04 AM
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Larry A. Ewashen
> Doukhobor Discovery Centre
> 112 Heritage Way
> Castlegar BC V1N 4M5
> www.Doukhobor-Museum.org
> 250-365-5327
>
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