The EASE process has been incredibly frustrating as it has created ambiguity in who is doing what in terms of administrative tasks. All concerns I have raised has so far been dismissed.
To summarise the complexities, my role has now changes from working *with* the education admin team to having to request/negotiate administrative support. Previously, tasks used to come to the department, and we would work together to complete them – but now, tasks come to me (even when they are purely administrative), and I need to request support from the EASE team.
This has created a nonsensical situation where I am responsible for the task, which I cannot or should not do (because it’s administration), and I need to demand that an EASE team member complete the tasks, but I have no oversight on their workload or what they do because the line management system sits outside of the department! The structure is set up for a combative system where I need to constantly demand time from the EASE team – and I cannot imagine it will be a pleasant experience being on the other end of these constant requests.
This “helpdesk” set-up also means the EASE team is being told of large administrative tasks unexpectedly and last-minute – where as, if they were included in the conversations from the start, there could have been scope to change the process/deadlines etc. Given these administrative tasks are coming from central UCL via faculty, it’s just bizarre why it’s the departments who need to negotiate assistance from EASE staff, rather than a more coordinated effort. It’s just a dehumanising system where the structure has been set-up for people to demand rather than coordinate and collaborate. In a system that is so stretched, the EASE team will inevitably be unable to meet the demands being made – and this is going to erode working relationships and deteriorate working environments.
