I've spent approximately the last 5 days at work in a storage closet moving files and re-alphabetizing them. Let's say, if I never have to do something like this I'd be a-ok with it. However, it has given me time to think about the whole idea of files and filing and file cabinets.
My main complaint is that considering we live in the information age, and that most people (at least in this great country) have access to a computer and the internet, why the fuck do we still have paper files? I went to the doctor a few days ago (6 Beards) and their whole office had gone paperless, but yet where I work we still keep track of everything on paper. And by track of everything, I mean we probably have between 300 and 400 active students with approximately 75 graduating every Fall and Spring. Would it really be that hard to switch over to electronic files?
This would be great because it would eliminate the super tedious task of filing, a task that is very prone to difficulties and mistakes. Someone has a file out and someone else goes to file something in that file? Where'd it go? Who has it? I can't find it so I'm sticking it in the unfilable bin. Or, say I've found the right file, think I have my finger on it, look away to grab the piece of paper/information, turn back and stick the paper in the wrong file and POOF that piece of information is lost to all efforts shy of tearing apart all the files and hunting it down.
The other problem with all this is filing cabinets. Filing cabinets SUCK. None of them are designed at a good height, and any extensive amount of filing always results in some kind of unnecessary and prolonged bending over and/or squatting. Also, as I learned today, if you're using a filing cabinet that is 4+ drawers high, never EVER have more then one drawer pulled out at a time. Not even on accident. It will fall, possibly on you, and either way you will have to catch it and probably have a drawer fall out (which luckily for me the files stayed in even while completely 90 degrees and perpendicular to the ground). So, yeah. Two drawers. Don't forget it.
Also, note that this is me whining about files, and filing and not about my job which is awesome because it's inside during the summer heat. I love my job. My job gets 7 Beards. It would get more if I got paid more.
Paper Files get 3 Beards
Filing gets 1 Beard
File Cabinets get 3 Beards
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1 comment:
yes. i agree with all of this. our agency is just now switching over to electronic filing, but i feel bad for the lady thats in the process of scanning in all the files.
after starting my job, i now officially hate the alphabet. i give it 5 beards bc it's annoying when it comes to filing.
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