The drivers spent most of their time out in their vehicles but did also need to complete paperwork on their journey, respond to questions about the cars and teach and supervise the Learners. Paul would have preferred them always to be driving and completing their administrative tasks in the cars but even he saw this was impossible as so grudgingly granted them some office space. He made sure though that their offices were not the best ones in the company - these he reserved for his under-managers and Main Administrative Task Reorganising Operational Notetakers. These, he felt, should have pot plants, conference tables and nice views. The drivers, being out for much of the time, could have the remaining spaces in differing nooks and crannies of the building. Even drivers from the same team were scattered about in different parts of the building, usually three to an office.
One day, one of the drivers saw his secretary looking at a room plan.
'What's that?' he asked.
'Our new offices,' she replied.
The driver was surprised as he had not heard that anyone was moving. Despite the relative cramped state of the current offices and the over-crowding they had become used to their space and made it work.
He contacted the manager in charge of offices and paperclips.
'Oh yes, I was wondering if I could come and talk to you about the proposed moves,' she said. 'We are building new workshops where you are so we are owing everyone from that area.'
'And just when were you planning on asking us about this?' the driver wanted to know.
'Oh, we're having to work in a hurry,' said the manager. 'Paul wants this new facility up and running as quickly as possible.'
So the drivers met with the Office and Paperclip manager to hear more details about this enforced move. 'It would be really useful to hear what your requirements are,' she began.
'Wait - you have drawn up plans for the move and now you are asking us what our requirements are?'
Silence.
So the drivers outlined their needs. Some of them had to be close together so that they could communicate about day to day issues. Others required some space for confidential interviews. The manager wrote it all down.
A week later the affected drivers received a note informing them that they would be rehoused in a mass open-plan office.
'Didn't you listen to a word we said?' they asked. We specifically said that this would not enable us to do our jobs properly.
'Oh,' she said. 'I'll look round for something else.' And then she closed her office door. She needed to be alone.
