3rd Feb

Its a bloody cold day. Our fountain is now frozen over but still functioning.

In theory, I'm deskbound today. I start catching up on emails after checking that our phone system is back on. Apparently, BT came in and worked through to get us reconnected. Most unusual as they normally lag behind when it comes to doing anything quick and useful in this part of the country. We are all surprised and impressed.

I wade through my emails and work through some of the documents planning our work for the next year. I get a call to go and check out the asbestos discovered on the second floor. There is a lot more and we need to figure out what to do.

On return to my desk I'm asked to go and change the light levels on one of the desks on the ground floor.

GAL! I find that they have a person sitting next to the window who is complaining about how bright the lighting is over her desk. I do not understand why they don't move her to one of the inside desks and suggest that they do that. The wankers decide that they want to change the lighting rather than move her. I do wish that managers would do what they're paid for and manage their staff.

I go back upstairs and mention it to Mischa. He says that when he had the same problem his manager (Matt) told him to be a grown-up and deal with it. I agree whole-heartedly. As far as I'm concerned people should be empowered and deal with issues themselves. We have a general chat about it and come to the view that people should be given and take that power to look after themselves and their development. The most successful people and the people who get the most out of their lives are the ones who take responsibility for their own destiny. Too easy to get lost in a molly-coddling environment.

Have a look at the cabinets being built by the chippies in the committee area, discuss what we do about the TV in the counciloors room, agree with Steve where the chippies can work on Monday morning to fix the draughts coming through the main doors on the ground floor and speak to the fire officer about the closure of one of the staircases.

Cherie went out at lunchtime and bought a bunch of cakes for her team - just cos' its Friday! Nice touch.

I get a call from Steve to visit the second floor. We have a major asbestos problem on the second floor. Its not dangerous but we have to be careful about its removal and need to make the area safe after its been removed. I agree how we'll handle it and tell my director Chris what the situation is. We agree that I should write to the management board to let them know what's happening and what we plan to do to manage it.

Its still cold and its been a long week so I get a taxi home and chat with Derek. He's the taxi driver - sarcastic and laid back.