Am I in the wrong here?

[grimm]

I have had some issues at work and would like some opinions please.

I work in a small office where IT support is outsources/paid for, however I am not sure if the level of service is enough for our requirements.

My current role is nothing to do with IT/computers at all apart from the fact that I use one every day to do my job (using the back office software and things like excel) however I have a degree in computer science.

This means that for anything IT/computer related people tend to ask me to deal with it, and it is starting to get a bit ridiculous in my opinion. We have just had an office move and apparently nobody knows how to plug a computer in and plug the peripherals in, so I had to do it for every single machine in the building. What has annoyed me is the fact that now I am being asked questions about how they are set up, why things won't work etc.

I have not been involved in any of the decision making processes for these things so I really have no idea how they were set up by the IT people, what hardware is inside the cases etc. I was being asked to plug a server in so that someone could use it as a desktop, and I told them that this wouldn't work because it is a server not a workstation, it doesn't have a graphics card for dual monitor setup etc. etc.

I am now getting a load of hassle about this and being accused of being awkward and "not a team player", presumably because I'm not telling them what they want to hear? I was actually told by my boss to rig up the server like a workstation anyway even though I had already said that it would not work for this purpose. I have then been shouted at because it doesn't work!!!

Today people are asking me again to do all sorts of IT related stuff that isn't really part of my job, and because of the way people have been treating me regarding this stuff lately I have pretty much said that I don't want to get involved anymore and that they should contact the IT people.

Am I being unreasonable here?

 

[grimm]

Just be as helpful as possible, another string to your bow etc etc etc You'll be the only one that knows, take the opportunity to shine next time they might involve you.

That's what I'v been doing for quite some time (been at the same company for 6 years). It is getting to the point where it is taking the **** now.

I don't care about being involved in the decision making process when it comes to IT (although it would probably be beneficial for the company if I was). The issue I have though is that if I don't know what has been arranged, how can I be expected to fix, support or answer any questions about it? My colleagues just expect me to magically know the answers without being privy to any of the necessary information lol. I find it a bit insulting really.

 

[grimm]

First of all it sounds like the poeple around you don't understand computers IT, especially if you are being asked to setup a server like a desktop....yeah I know it can be done but how often do you see it done.

If your boss is reasonable explain the situation and if you want to continue doing get get the dollar to back it up. Do the outsourced IT people actually do anything at all? Make a bid to take the contract from them maybe?

The outsourced IT bods do a lot via remote access but are very reluctant to come out to sort things out in person (or my boss is reluctant to pay the call out charge I imagine is the reality of it). Also I think they are paid to support specific things such as specific items of software/hardware. Again I'm not privy to the specifics having not seen the actual contract.

I was trying to explain to my colleague why a particular machine couldn't have 2 monitors plugged into it. I explained that it didn't have a graphics card with two monitor outputs, and she seemed to think that I was talking rubbish to get out of having to plug another monitor into it, or something like that. That's when I started getting annoyed and said that I didn't really want to get involved in this stuff and that I'm not paid any extra for it, people are being rude to me when I give them information etc. I was then told that I was not being a "team player".

God damn it!

 

[grimm]

The way I see it is that it makes you a more valuable employee so I'd be happy to do it and would bring it up at the next pay review.

What I would do is be clear when you are asked to do something that you don't know about. In short, yes I'd be happy to plug in that pc for you, no I'm sorry, I don't know how to configure a web server, best you talk to our outsourced IT department.

I have tried that before, they just see it as a nice benefit to having me there rather than something worth paying me more money for.

 

[grimm]

is it keeping you from your own work? if you are getting behind because of it speak with your manager

but if you have the time to spare i would help where you can
doesn't help when you get no thanks though or people don't understand

My manager was the person accusing me of being awkward and not being a team player as per my earlier post lol.

In terms of workload for my actual role, this remains unchanged even if I spend hours messing around with IT related matters (in fact it will probably increase because I have annoyed my manager ).