The Public Service

is not a "public" service.
I had a phone call yesterday. It was from one of those delightfully named "public servants" who really should know better by now.
   "Cat, I am wondering if you could do something for me..."
   "No, I don't even want to know what it is," I told her.
   "Oh, come on...at least let me tell you."
 I listened. Yes, a "training day" and could I come along and talk about...
    "And are you prepared to pay me?"
    "We haven't got any money to pay you but I'll get you a couple of taxi vouchers."
    "No, sorry. I am not going to do it. If you want me to do it then I want to be paid. It will be a lot of preparation. I would have to get someone to check on the Senior Cat and that's the day before something else I am preparing for."
She was not best pleased. 
   "Oh really Cat! We depend on people like you."
And that is the problem. There are far too many public servants without nearly enough to do. I know of one who is quietly studying for a degree in a different area as he waits for "redeployment". He was smart enough to see where things were heading and is willing to do the work.  Unlike some he also recognised the need to retrain.  
They need to retrain some more in areas where people are needed or get rid of them and put in people who do have training. 
But they don't need to do it using people like me. I have occasionally helped out - when I have thought the well being of people with profound physical and intellectual disabilities was seriously at risk. That wasn't the case this time and I have in fact said that they need to find other people now. There are younger people around who are more in tune with "the way things are done now". 
The "we have no money" excuse is unacceptable. If it is worth asking someone to do something then it is worth paying them. If there is no money then money has to be found elsewhere. Surely some of those with no role could be retrained or offered separation packages? Why should people like myself be expected to work for nothing when that sort of thing is going on? 
No, I don't particularly want the money - although that would be nice - I just want to be treated with some respect. Failing to pay me and others like me isn't doing that.
    "Well, I'll see if T.... can do it," my caller said.
I phoned T.... 
    "Thanks Cat. She can find someone else," T... said.
The problem is she probably will but it won't be me or T... or the person T... thought the caller might try. Will the message get through? I doubt it.