I'm realizing now that I never actually posted about losing my job. It happened back in November of 2013. I had taken a vacation and a short time after I came back I got sick and ended up missing more days than was allowed. On top of that, I had recently told my new supervisor some things he didn't want to hear:
Him: Management wants the agents to be more self-reliant and stop asking the supervisors for permission before they do every little thing.
Me: That's great! That's how it used to be, years ago. One way to accomplish this change would be for supervisors to back the agents up when they do go out on a limb for their customers. It'll be impossible to foster confidence in the agents without this.
Him: ... Well, WE'RE not going to change anything, only YOU GUYS have to change...
And
Him: I don't understand why agents are so scared of these coaching meetings. It's just an opportunity for me to tell them how they can improve. It's not like they're in trouble or anything.
Me: That's so true. <Unspoken: It SHOULD be true, but we all know it's not true when you say it, you sneaky bastard. >
- A few minutes later his boss walked by and asked to see him after our meeting -
Him: Hoo! That freaks me out a little bit! I don't know what he wants.
Me: Don't worry, it's only a coaching.
- I realize that's a bit cheeky. In my defense, I said it playfully rather than scathingly, and with the hope he'd gain the empathy he clearly lacks for his subordinates. My previous supervisors would've laughed and joked back, and 100% would've understood the point. My new supervisor, however, did not react that way. He narrowed his eyes and replied haughtily -
Him: Well, the difference is, I could get fired at any moment if they choose!
Me: <Awkward pause. Unspoken: How is that different from anyone else? Blink.> Ah. That would be really nerve-wracking.
I had been a customer service agent for that company for 6 years. I wasn't perfect, but I was damn good at my job. Previous supervisors said so, co-workers sought my advice, customers exclaimed that I was so kind and patient, and that no one was able to help them understand things the way I could. Sure, there's always room for improvement (it's hard to give your all to a company you know doesn't care about you anymore), but I was still far from bad at my job. He didn't seem to agree. He found fault in my work any chance he could. I didn't like being told I had no empathy by someone who can't empathize with his own employees, especially when my customers told me the exact opposite. I'm not really sure someone who thinks Jennifer Lawrence is a bad actress because she blinks (and his dog can blink) is qualified to judge empathy, or anything else for that matter.
I had grown to truly hate that job anyway. I'm sure this whole post sounds like a bunch of sour grapes and maybe it is. Whatever. I was shocked when I was let go. I was hurt, I was offended, I was scared, but I was not sad. Not one bit. Never once have I missed that place or those tasks. I love that my phone doesn't ring, and that I don't have to smile through greedy manipulations and petulant complaints. I love that that place has no more power over me.
I hope I never have to work in customer service again.
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