Call Centres

Do you know anyone that works in a call centre? I do. He says that it’s the “modern day factory.” There are so many rules and performance measurements that it’s like working on an assembly line. People cannot even go to the bathroom without it being tracked. One minute late is considered a big deal and the calls are so repetitive that people get bored very quickly. This is why I hear they have high turn- over. Also, as the first point of contact for anyone calling the company, you get yelled at a lot and it can be a very thankless job. Breaks and lunches are the highlight of the day – unless you get off a call late and have to shave a few minutes off your break or lunch. Seems cruel, doesn’t it? Getting penalized for staying back to help a customer. The sad thing is that call centers are becoming the job of the future for educated people. By educated, I mean having at least college or university. This is why this person tells me to specialize and get my Masters in something – anything. Otherwise, I’ll be stuck in a factory where my bathroom visits are monitored (timed). Where I can say “thank you for calling… how I can help you?” a hundred times a day. How is this any better than asking “do you want fries with that?” At least I won’t need a post secondary education to ask about fries, shakes or supersizing. But I don’t want to pay off a loan with the meager pay I’d get from answering the phone for a living. Is this where you’re headed? Are you having second thoughts after reading this? If not, blog back. Give me another chance to talk you out of it. Post your comments below.