Rant about the "company" I work for!

calico2222 · Dec 1, 2007

I work in a call center and our contract has anywhere from 60-90 people on the phones at one time. Yesterday, one of my co-workers started feeling strange. She got light headed and dizzy so she got off the phone. Her best friend that sits next to her went to her supervisor to let her know that something was wrong. The supervisor did nothing.

Then, my co-worker started slurring her speech. She said he tongue didn't feel numb, just too big for her mouth. Her friend had her count backwards from 5. She did it, but with trouble. Another supervisor was notified that something was wrong. Again, that supervisor didn't check on her or do anything.

Then, her hands and arms started tingling and she couldn't put a coherent sentence together. Finally, the third supervisor came and checked on her, and called security who then called for an ambulance.

In the meantime, he best friend is on her cell phone (which is not allowed) trying to call her mother, her boyfriend or her son to let them know she is going to the hospital. At that point, the project manager came up to her and said "It's time for you to get back on the phone"!

Yes, we were in "Q", as in 90 people were holding to talk to someone, but this is a an emergency!

It took almost 20 minutes for a supervisor to actually realize something was wrong.

I still don't know how it turned out. She was borderline diabetic, and some were saying it sounded like insuline shock, others were saying it could have been a mini stroke. I didn't know about it until after the fact (she sits on the other side of the building).

But, I can't believe how our "supervisors" and managers handled it. I just had to vent!!!

u8myufo · Dec 1, 2007

Thats exactly why they are managers and supervisers. They are what I like to call pre programmed robots and do not know how to handle situations like that. Ok not all of them, my father once worked in a factory on a production line. One of the workers actualy died at his bench, and the only concern for managment was who to take his place. The disgusting part was it took them more than four hours before remembering to contact his wife.

gailc · Dec 1, 2007

Isn't that the truth!!
When I still had my corporate job a co-worker and I were off site working outside in the winter. I was slipped and fell on some ice but "saved" the electronic handheld I was using. My co-worker was inside the clients business as she too slipped and fell. A couple hours or so we were done and back on the road to our office (about a 90 minute drive).
We both were complaining how sore we felt. Once we came back we told our supervisor and his supervisor what happened. I offhand mention that I didn't damage the equipment which was more of a concern than us!! I told my supervisor I was going home and was going to make doc's appt as my neck felt bad (old auto accident injury).
Well that was a workman's comp visit and a really big deal was made out of it for me that my co-worker kept he mouth shut on how she felt.
The whole experience was unbelievable-we were made to feel guilty that we fell!!
So I'm not terribly surprised at the experience you had at work.

lunasmom · Dec 1, 2007

I would have that coworker, her best friend and yourself document that incident and shoot it into someone's eyes from HR.

IF something had happened to that coworker, or possibly something has happened as a result of the supervisor's lack of response, your coworker could have a nice case on her hands.

Even if she's OK now and has no side effects of it, still a letter to HR will ensure that the next time this happens (hopefully not), your supervisor will take immediate action.

icklemiss21 · Dec 1, 2007

In our contracts it is up to us to speak to a supervisor and leave to seek medical attention if needed, not up to our supervisors do do something about it or check on our health. That is the way the corporate world generally works. Not saying it is right, but they are there to run the business not someone's health or personal life, in their opinion.

annericebowl · Dec 1, 2007

That doesn't make any sense. So if someone is having a heart attack, it's not the supervisor's or manager's job to call an ambulance because it's not their job?

catkiki · Dec 1, 2007

That happened to me Dec 16, 2004. I went to work and was chatting to my friends. A few minutes later, I was unable to speak except for a few words. I work in a call center too, except there are a couple of hundred people on the phones.

At first, they thought I was having a panic attack because I had to be on "the dialer" but after my team lead sitting with me for about 15 minutes, they realized something was wrong. We went to my supervisor, who called for "Mr Red" our code for a medical emergency. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was admitted with a STROKE!!!!!! I was off work for 7 weeks and had to have speech therapy but I recovered pretty much. Not totally but about 98%. I still have problems speaking sometimes.

Our supervisors are really on the ball. They take it very seriously when someone is having health problems. I am sorry that the place you work at doesn't do this.

But it does sound like your co-worker had a stroke. How old is she? I had mine 5 days after my 48th birthday. Mine was caused by not taking my BP medicine regularly. Hope she is going to be OK... Let us know? OK?

lunasmom · Dec 1, 2007

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

In our contracts it is up to us to speak to a supervisor and leave to seek medical attention if needed, not up to our supervisors do do something about it or check on our health. That is the way the corporate world generally works. Not saying it is right, but they are there to run the business not someone's health or personal life, in their opinion.

I do understand what you're saying. Most cases are like that: "Supervisor, I'm not feeling well I need to go home". In this case however, the coworker was dizzy and ill. When you're dizzy, it's not fun to move.

Once someone gets to the point of slurring their words due to illness, then the supervisor should check on them or instruct the best friend or someone to drive the person home or call for someone to pick them up.

I'm also basing my original response that the supervisor said something along the lines of "That's nice, get back on the phones. call me if its a real emergency".

I haven't worked in a call center, just a company that had one. The managers/supervisors there were really hesitant about people leaving the phoens for any reason...including going to the bathroom.

kittkatt · Dec 1, 2007

That's just plain wrong, IMO!

Doesn't anybody care anymore??

Company policy or no company policy: the employees health is more important than how many calls are in queue?

It sure sounds like she had a stroke to me. I hope she'll be all right..

When I used to work in a call center, we had an incident one time where there was a gas smell coming from somewhere, and some of the employees were getting light-headed & nauseated. Instead of clearing the employees out of the building until they figured out what was wrong, the supervisors instructed us to go into the training room to take the calls.

Heaven forbid if a customer had to call back!

I refused, and proceeded to gather up my stuff and head out the building: they threatened to fire me if I didn't obey "orders". I didn't care: NO job is worth risking your life over..

As someone else already mentioned, I believe that girl could possibly have a lawsuit on her hands. That's just wrong..

~KK~

kittkatt · Dec 1, 2007

Originally Posted by lunasmom

The managers/supervisors there were really hesitant about people leaving the phoens for any reason...including going to the bathroom.

It was that way where I used to work, too. It's illegal to prevent someone from having to use the restroom - especially if someone has a medical-related condition. There were too many people who were afraid to use the restroom when they needed to, b/c they always threatened you with termination. That's just not right..

If the supervisors are so worried about how many calls are in queue, then why don't they take a call or two so the person who needs to use the restroom can??

~KK~

rosiemac · Dec 1, 2007

I hope she's ok.

Was there many of you who came away from your switchboards for them to say what they said to you?. That's bad though that it had to take a 3rd supervisor to get their act into gear and ring for an ambulance

Waiting 20 minutes could be crucial for medical attention.

brandi · Dec 1, 2007

That is EXACTLY the way the call center is that I work for...The morning I started bleeding when I was 9wks pregnant I told my supervisor that I was pregnant and bleeding she is a EMT. She said oh nothing to worry about you will be fine...with my nursing I knew that this was bull!!! I told her I am leaving now to go to my OB she said well if you do I will write you up...I told her I didnt care and left called dh and went to the dr...We lost the baby that day

I was out of work for 3 days to start with before setting up a massive infection from losing the baby and the DNC not being done properly and wound up being out a total of 2wks...When I came back nothing was said and I assumed she wasnt going to write me up about a week after Id been back to work she came to me and said "look i know why you were out and I understand that but that was entirely too long to be out of work for something as simple as that you should have came back the next day!" She placed me on a final written and told me to clean up my act or I would be fired!!! In Virginia we have no laws that protect employment so i had to deal with it...Its amazing that people can treat other people like that and still get up the next morning...

icklemiss21 · Dec 1, 2007

Originally Posted by AnneRiceBowl

That doesn't make any sense. So if someone is having a heart attack, it's not the supervisor's or manager's job to call an ambulance because it's not their job?

No, if my coworker looked like she was having a stroke and needed an ambulance I would call her one before I told my supervisor she was leaving in an ambulance.

It isn't their job to decide if someone is sick enough for one. They are not doctors, if my coworker feels she needs one, I will call for her right then, looking and waiting for a supervisor could be the difference between life and death even if they came right away.

If I feel sick and am unable to work, I go to my supervisor and tell him I need to go outside for a bit to try and clear my head, and if I still feel ill, I tell him I am going home and will call if I will not be in the following day.

kittkatt · Dec 1, 2007

Originally Posted by Brandi

That is EXACTLY the way the call center is that I work for...The morning I started bleeding when I was 9wks pregnant I told my supervisor that I was pregnant and bleeding she is a EMT. She said oh nothing to worry about you will be fine...with my nursing I knew that this was bull!!! I told her I am leaving now to go to my OB she said well if you do I will write you up...I told her I didnt care and left called dh and went to the dr...We lost the baby that day

I was out of work for 3 days to start with before setting up a massive infection from losing the baby and the DNC not being done properly and wound up being out a total of 2wks...When I came back nothing was said and I assumed she wasnt going to write me up about a week after Id been back to work she came to me and said "look i know why you were out and I understand that but that was entirely too long to be out of work for something as simple as that you should have came back the next day!" She placed me on a final written and told me to clean up my act or I would be fired!!! In Virginia we have no laws that protect employment so i had to deal with it...Its amazing that people can treat other people like that and still get up the next morning...

That's just so sad.

I'm sorry you lost your baby..

~KK~

calico2222 · Dec 2, 2007

Originally Posted by Rosiemac

I hope she's ok.

Was there many of you who came away from your switchboards for them to say what they said to you?.

The only person that I know of that got off the phone was her best friend because she was trying to call her family and let them know she was going to the hospital. So, nothing was actually said to me, I heard all this on break from the girl that was trying to call. That's why I was so upset that the manager told her to get back on the phone. If Carrie couldn't talk, she sure couldn't call her family herself. I would be one thing if the manager said "I'll call them for you" but she didn't.

I haven't been able to get any news because I don't have either one of their phone numbers. I'll find out tomorrow...hopefully she's ok and it was just insulin shock and not a stroke. I'll let you know tomorrow.

calico2222 · Dec 2, 2007

Originally Posted by Brandi

That is EXACTLY the way the call center is that I work for...The morning I started bleeding when I was 9wks pregnant I told my supervisor that I was pregnant and bleeding she is a EMT. She said oh nothing to worry about you will be fine...with my nursing I knew that this was bull!!! I told her I am leaving now to go to my OB she said well if you do I will write you up...I told her I didnt care and left called dh and went to the dr...We lost the baby that day

I was out of work for 3 days to start with before setting up a massive infection from losing the baby and the DNC not being done properly and wound up being out a total of 2wks...When I came back nothing was said and I assumed she wasnt going to write me up about a week after Id been back to work she came to me and said "look i know why you were out and I understand that but that was entirely too long to be out of work for something as simple as that you should have came back the next day!" She placed me on a final written and told me to clean up my act or I would be fired!!! In Virginia we have no laws that protect employment so i had to deal with it...Its amazing that people can treat other people like that and still get up the next morning...

Brandi, I am so sorry. That must have been horrible, and for her to be so insensitive is inexcusable! I just want to punch her, and I don't even know her (don't think I want to either)

brandi · Dec 2, 2007

LOL you and me both!!! Im still on her team too! I just applied for a bank job that i would love to have I really hope I get it...she said I would know anything til the end of next week of the first of the week after but hope and pray to God that I am blessed with that job!

calico2222 · Dec 3, 2007

For anyone who is wondering, they found out that my co-worker has fluid on the base of her brain. She is feeling much better but is still very dizzy. She's complaining because her boyfriend won't let her do anything around the house

so she must be feeling better. But at least it wasn't a stroke. She had menegitis (sp?) years ago and the doctors think it may be related to that. She went to her regular doctor today, and is seeing a specialist later this week. Just keep pray that it isn't anything really serious.

Originally Posted by Brandi

LOL you and me both!!! Im still on her team too! I just applied for a bank job that i would love to have I really hope I get it...she said I would know anything til the end of next week of the first of the week after but hope and pray to God that I am blessed with that job!

Brandi, I am keeping my fingers crossed you get the job! I don't know how you could handle working there after that. Let us know how it goes!!

theimp98 · Dec 3, 2007

Originally Posted by calico2222

I work in a call center and our contract has anywhere from 60-90 people on the phones at one time. Yesterday, one of my co-workers started feeling strange. She got light headed and dizzy so she got off the phone. Her best friend that sits next to her went to her supervisor to let her know that something was wrong. The supervisor did nothing.

Then, my co-worker started slurring her speech. She said he tongue didn't feel numb, just too big for her mouth. Her friend had her count backwards from 5. She did it, but with trouble. Another supervisor was notified that something was wrong. Again, that supervisor didn't check on her or do anything.

Then, her hands and arms started tingling and she couldn't put a coherent sentence together. Finally, the third supervisor came and checked on her, and called security who then called for an ambulance.

In the meantime, he best friend is on her cell phone (which is not allowed) trying to call her mother, her boyfriend or her son to let them know she is going to the hospital. At that point, the project manager came up to her and said "It's time for you to get back on the phone"!

Yes, we were in "Q", as in 90 people were holding to talk to someone, but this is a an emergency!

It took almost 20 minutes for a supervisor to actually realize something was wrong.

I still don't know how it turned out. She was borderline diabetic, and some were saying it sounded like insuline shock, others were saying it could have been a mini stroke. I didn't know about it until after the fact (she sits on the other side of the building).

But, I can't believe how our "supervisors" and managers handled it. I just had to vent!!!

We had the alarms here go off, saying there was leak of a posion gas, that said we where to leave, So i left, the all clear did not sound untl 4 hours later.

My boss wrote me up for leaving

addiebee · Dec 3, 2007

Originally Posted by Brandi

That is EXACTLY the way the call center is that I work for...The morning I started bleeding when I was 9wks pregnant I told my supervisor that I was pregnant and bleeding she is a EMT. She said oh nothing to worry about you will be fine...with my nursing I knew that this was bull!!! I told her I am leaving now to go to my OB she said well if you do I will write you up...I told her I didnt care and left called dh and went to the dr...We lost the baby that day

I was out of work for 3 days to start with before setting up a massive infection from losing the baby and the DNC not being done properly and wound up being out a total of 2wks...When I came back nothing was said and I assumed she wasnt going to write me up about a week after Id been back to work she came to me and said "look i know why you were out and I understand that but that was entirely too long to be out of work for something as simple as that you should have came back the next day!" She placed me on a final written and told me to clean up my act or I would be fired!!! In Virginia we have no laws that protect employment so i had to deal with it...Its amazing that people can treat other people like that and still get up the next morning...

Brandi- my sincere condolences about the loss of your baby. I hope you get a better job with a better boss.

None of this suprises me. Any humanity that might have been in the workplace has left, for the large part.
When you are hurt or sick they either think you are trying to pull a fast one or just lazy.

Rant about the "company" I work for!

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