"Describe examples of challenging behaviours and issues in the workplace".

"Describe examples of challenging behaviours and issues in the workplace".


An example of challenging behaviour in the workplace, back when I worked for a construction company I had an encounter on a building site I monitored. Sitting in my ground floor office one day on the construction floor I received a call come though that some of our subcontracted workers were disposing of insulation (large pink dusty materials) by throwing them off the side of the sixteenth floor onto the general public's parked cars below!, This is challenging behaviour, blatant disregard of rules. (of which they were duly punished), I had to first of all run up 15 flights of stairs to stop them (this they did not like much, but I was 18 at the time telling 25-40 year olds to grow up and follow rules). I had to "yellow card" effectively the same as in the footballing world, a "one more and your out" kind of thing. Although after consulting the Project Manager (you have to in these cases where the publics vehicles have been damaged/dirtied) he deemed that this was not harsh enough and the men were removed from site permanently

Another example could be one who turns up late everyday to a time pressed environment would demoralise the team and make them question why they have to bother to turn up early when someone else can roll in whenever they want.

One more is if you work in an unfortunate workplace where suit and tie are mandatory and you have a scruffy character who doesn't tuck in their shirt keeps turning up with no tie and doesn't present themselves in the correct manner could be viewed as an "issue".

In some cases there can be things such as office bullying, talking about other members at the workplace which will obviously drag down morale. people who refuse to pitch in with the team to meet targets (something I have experienced first hand at a previous job that necessitated us being part of a team and working towards a group target, which left me and the other members of our team feeling very frustrated at the one particular colleague who didn't want to go beyond the bare minimum of work!).

BUT WHO DO YOU CONTACT? (Unit 4.1.3!)

There are ways to deal with this and often the way to go is to contact your supervisor/Line manager and lodge a complaint or simply raise the issue, keeping calm and carrying on (although the British motto) can often lead to these occurrences lasting a lot longer then they often need to and speaking to them you can rest easy knowing that the issue will be brought to the fore and steps taken to address the problem. If you feel the issue is with your line manager themselves you can go one higher and address the actual management raising your concerns, but always ensure you do it from a professional stance and never a personal one.

18.1 COMMON DEVICES USED IN DIGITAL COMMUNICATION:

COMMON DEVICES USED IN DIGITAL COMMUNICATION:

Posted earlier on this blog was a list of commonly used terms for the digital movement, this is to reinforce my knowledge of the technology available in this digital age

Computer to the left laptop to the right.

COMPUTERS/LAPTOPS//  The basis of most digital communication is through the computer, It is the platform from which the digital revolution has spring boarded from, modern laptops and computers run a variety of software from entertainment programs like Flash etc, to business software such as the Microsoft office package. As well as standard software that is purchasable they also integrate the internet and the capacity for other entertainment means such as gaming and using the internet to talk with friends using communication applications such as Skype as well as the ability to burn copy discs and plug in other media devices via usb like most of the devices described below.

The Samsung I7005

SMART PHONES// One of the latest additions to digital communication is the invention of the smart phone, this refers to a mobile device with all the functions of a phone but integrated with the internet, camera, media player and a PDA and depending on the model, touchscreen technology and a selection of "Apps" that can include maps, things like ordering taxis sending emails and other software applications that are downloadable directly onto the handset, this gives the user an on the go mobile internet platform for everyday use as well as combining the communication productivity of a mobile phone and the endless programs available on the internet.

A deliveryman in action!

PDA// A PDA is similar in many respects to the smartphone, these products are portable handheld devices that have SD slots for data cards as well as touchscreen technology or  possibly a stylus, these internet capable devices are used mainly in the business sector and help employees organise themselves away from the office on long trips on the go, used often by delivery companies such as UPS and FedEx and even the Royal mail to update and send data for signed packages back to their headquarters, give directions, be used to answer calls and email. These can be used to synchronise with your personal computer or laptop to exchange information via usb, or bluetooth.

A Pager

PAGER// The pager is a simple tool that effectively is an SMS receiver, this is usually equipped with a bleep and vibrate function depending on the model, these are small devices that can be put onto a belt or slipped into your pocket, these have been used in hospitals around the world as an effective way of contacting Doctors and nurses in emergencies and giving simple instructions as to what happens and where they need to be. Later versions have included the ability to text the person back and even send emails.

A bluetooth headset

BLUETOOTH HEADSET// This small device that synchs up with your mobile phone device, Sony Playstation or PC. This device is an over ear speaker and microphone, using as the name implies, Bluetooth technology this allows users to wear the device on the go and answer calls without having to fumble for their mobile phone, or just keep their hands free.  They have been used in online gaming for users who dislike wearing headphones as this can often get uncomfortable.

A webby cam...yay

WEBCAM// A simple premise of a small camera that can be either be attached to a USB plug on a computer/laptop or come inbuilt in some models. The webcam is a small camera that transmits the picture it receives and transmits it in real time to the internet which sends it to whomever you contacting, many programs have gained great popularity using webcams to create the new type of digital communication the Video call.

UNIT 6 - Video evaluation

As a part of our Unit 6 we have been tasked with evaluating our performances in shooting the video bio for new apprentice Harry Bell (link here).

We were split into a team consisting of me Harry and classic character actor Jemel Hibbert, The week before we had thrashed out a simple story and decided how we were going to shoot it, in the process I drew up some (very rough) storyboards to get a shot list so in theory we could walk in and shoot it, my estimate was a couple of hours to get all the footage and a lesson to edit it to perfection. 

Simple? Not always so. 

The next week we met up ready to begin shooting, to find that we forgot to book a camera (somewhat important for a video) and had to coerce Barrington to help us acquire one. A small stumble but we knew what we were shooting so moved into the classroom to begin the shoot and for 15 minutes or so, we were on fire. We had the opening shot and first question to be featured in the video shot.

Until we get informed that we have a lowly 10 miuntes before we were kicked out of the classroom we were shooting in before we were ousted by another class, we hit up as much of the footage we could record on our camera.

After that we were needed to assist with another apprentices video which required all to make an appearance which cut into our own shooting time and by the time we were finished. We were informed that we had our location for another 15 minutes, in which to complete all of our scenes. 

While we may have been able to work under that time constraint due to Harry and Jemel being able to act their parts effortlessly and me having a reference to what to shoot and how. This was until we found out that we only 9 minutes of battery life and 8 minutes of footage left. (we were sharing the SD cards, which we use to record on the cameras, with the rest of the apprentices). 

This called for a drastic rewrite and after a brief meeting we decided on changing the latter half of the video to something we could shoot handheld and set about it in the shortest time possible. Although if I'm honest I feel this helped us as knowing we had about 3 tries before the camera would die pushed us to get it right first time. So thanks to some quick thinking and applied skills of camera work comic timing and some great acting we were able to get enough footage that we felt comfortable that the edit would go smoothly. (we even had time to film an extra shot, such was our quick shooting in regards to the pressured time frame).

All in all this was another high pressured shoot with time constraints that again made me feel uncomfortable due to my slightly perfectionist nature. but due to having had some decent planning on the story and having storyboards. As well as being part of a team that had very little arguing and was eager to get on camera and get it shot (shout outs to Harry and Jemel here). 

We have came through at the other end with enough footage we will be able to create a rough-cut and later on a finished Video Bio for Harry which is both funny, while showing off our individual abilities and those of working in a team.

THINGS I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY: 

In terms of pre planning the story and the scenes that would be in the video we did very well, where I feel we almost skipped entirely was the acquisition and arrangement of where and how we were going to shoot it. We were a bit complacent and assumed that it would all come together on the day. But as you can tell this didn't quite happen and we were forced into taking decisions that will no doubt crop up in post (such as having limited numbers of takes to choose from, even though they're good enough to make the video good its always nice to have more footage than you need). Things like having cameras and SD cards is definitely something I will insist is figured out BEFORE shoot day as trying to bring in the favour is a pain when you realise your location is going to be taken away from you.

An eye opening and poignant lesson..

MY ROLE IN THE SHOOT:

In our team I took the role of cameraman and a sort-of director, It was my job to get the camerawork down, use the plans we had from the day before (storyboards, notes) to set up the shot to my taste, fill in Jemel as he was absent for the preplanning process and talk through the scene with both Harry and Jemel in how to get it down on film. 

I think we as a unit worked really well there was throughout the whole shoot, no disagreements or arguing and all were keen to get on with the idea. I came up with all the shots myself (with discussion and input from the team) but its composition on the day and any additions on what to do and how to do it were discussed by me and the team clearly and quickly so we could move on.

The pressured shoot I feel was dealt with professionally and I kept the actors informed of how long we had and what I thought looked better on camera (as often what looks good on paper, may not be reflected on camera) and we reshot or changed lines accordingly.