I C.U.P. inc. – Where employees are paid to work, not pee

Barbara H. Peterson

There is a growing trend in this country to treat employees like third-world slave labor; without rights, dignity or any type of respect.

In the United States, there exists a customer service/technical support call center for a popular satellite TV company that shall remain nameless, but if you do the math, I’m sure that you can figure it out. I worked for this company for six months, and it was bearable. That is, until it was purchased by a huge corporation that has its main center in the Philippines.

This is by far the worst company that I have ever worked for. I am still waiting to be paid my last check, which, I was told, is most likely somewhere between Portland and here. Maybe. No real ETA. This company gives new meaning to the term "meat grinder." (html comment removed: more)

The work was tolerable until the new company took over. Then things took a very steep downhill slide. Our working tools were taken away, all notes that representatives had collected for years with tips and tricks to help people with their systems were deleted, as was our email and chat that we used to communicate with each other for assistance in servicing customers.

We were blind, left in the dark to flounder around, then told that our pay was to be delayed right before the holidays, but not to worry, we could have gift cards for a few hours’ worth of time spent on the job. Some of us could not buy food, much less presents for the holidays.

So, I quit. I gave adequate notice, and almost a week later, am still waiting to be paid. I have been told that the check is on its way.

Is this really what we have allowed to happen in America? Can we all expect to be reduced to third-world living standards without a leg to stand on when the slave-masters decide that they are going to reduce our working conditions and that our pay is up for debate? What is it going to take to turn this around, or are we doomed to lick our masters’ boots as we grovel for pennies?

If the overlords have their way, that is exactly what will happen. In fact, it is happening right now. Every single day. The person whom you call for tech support? That person is most likely working for a “meat grinder” company with no conscience and no real incentive to actually help you, just to sell you more useless stuff and collect more and more money from you while draining its employees of every shred of self-respect and dignity it can.

And the thing that really irks me? They will not pay you to pee. Yup, you’ve got that right. If you have to use the restroom, you have to clock out, hope that the facility at the other end of the building is not being cleaned, hop on and do your business just as fast as you can, then hurry on back to your desk to clock back in because you will not be paid to use the restroom.

You will also not be paid to sit and wait for calls. It doesn’t matter if you are at work, doing your job. It just matters if you are on the computer, showing that you are “working.”

So, if you ever decide to work for a company such as this, this is what you can expect:

A complete disregard for employees

To not get paid in full or on time

The run around when trying to get answers

The expectation of perfection without support

Reduction in lines of communication

Inadequate tools or training to do the job

Blame laid at workers' feet for failing to live up to standards because of the lack of communication and tools to do the job.

Constant push to sell, sell, sell, and if you make a sale? Your coach throws you a piece of candy like a good little puppy

No pay for restroom breaks or computer idle time even when you are waiting for a call

It’s clear that Corporate America is finally getting its wet dream fulfilled of sub-class citizen workers, formerly called slaves, who have no choice but to grovel for pitiful wages and working conditions just to make ends meet. Yes, ‘Massa,’ we will do whatever you want. Just don’t fire us cause we have chil’n to feed, and they’s hungry.

©2016 Barbara H. Peterson