Confessions of an IT Manager_Phil Factor
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222 Hens that Crow<br />
street. I spent the rest <strong>of</strong> the morning skipping around like a spring lamb at the<br />
joy <strong>of</strong> such a cle<strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>d harmonious parting. Real life rarely r<strong>an</strong> that smoothly.<br />
Later on that day, the CV arrived from Bernard. I opened the envelope <strong>an</strong>d<br />
immediately discovered that … I'd re-hired Robert. I could only assume that his<br />
agency had alerted him to a vac<strong>an</strong>cy in the same field with better pay. Ah.<br />
Immediately, I phoned Bernard <strong>an</strong>d explained through gritted teeth what<br />
he'd done. Bernard was contrite but I couldn't help thinking that he found<br />
something funny about the whole thing. I didn't. Moodily, I gl<strong>an</strong>ced through the<br />
CV <strong>an</strong>d saw immediately that it was a work <strong>of</strong> considerable fiction. According<br />
to the CV, he was not the junior programmer I knew, but a team leader with <strong>an</strong><br />
almost unique overall underst<strong>an</strong>ding <strong>of</strong> our dealing system <strong>an</strong>d its technical<br />
ramifications. He'd also extended his employment time here. Underst<strong>an</strong>dably,<br />
he'd kept his bogus referees.<br />
Suddenly I saw the funny side <strong>of</strong> it all. As Bernard <strong>an</strong>d I laughed, <strong>an</strong>d<br />
mulled over the capriciousness <strong>of</strong> the Gods, the perfect solution to the whole<br />
matter presented itself to us.<br />
Bernard played his part well. Robert was summoned to his <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>an</strong>d told<br />
that the senior director, a fierce <strong>an</strong>d fussy m<strong>an</strong> prone to sticking to protocol,<br />
had insisted on checking references before confirming the appointment. Robert<br />
bristled <strong>an</strong>d protested that the <strong>of</strong>fer could scarcely be withdrawn at this stage.<br />
Bernard merely picked up the phone <strong>an</strong>d checked the two referees, only to be<br />
told that no such people existed in the org<strong>an</strong>isations, or ever had.<br />
Robert's truculence had evaporated. "Never mind, " said Bernard cheerfully,<br />
"I know that your time working for <strong>Phil</strong> <strong>Factor</strong> will be more easily tracked."<br />
Robert looked startled. Bernard winked, "An old chum <strong>of</strong> mine, <strong>Phil</strong>. I'm sure<br />
he will be lavish in his praises <strong>of</strong> your work."<br />
It wasn't necessary. Robert was on his feet. Rapidly, he shook<br />
h<strong>an</strong>ds, scooped up the CV from the table <strong>an</strong>d left, for the last time.
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