I've been working as a telephone market research interviewer for the last three and a half years. Sadly, most of this company's work is at night, and they have very little daytime calling.

They want us to work a minimum of 24 hours a week, and this policy is being reinforced. if there's a lot of work they will ask us to work additional hours in order to meet their clients' deadlines. I don't mind helping them out, but I'm very limited to what I can make, and I cannot stay very late due to the limited bus transportation in the area after 9 o'clock. I have to stop my calling at ten minutes to 9 in order to make this one bus after 9 o'clock. If I miss this bus, I have to wait at least 45 minutes for the next one, and that is simply way too late for me to be out in that area.

When we make these calls, they want us to ask for males first. I personally feel that this is down-and-out discrimination right there. I have had a few females get question me (one got very offended) as to why we have to ask for a male first. Although I do understand that this is for quota-filling purposes, I still feel that this is down-and-out discrimination right there. We should be able to ask for any adult in the house who is 18 or older, unless the specific study calls us to ask for a certain age group and/or gender.

Also, if we don't have any work, they will tell us to call in just to see if there's any work, and again I strongly disagree with this. They should call us when there's going to be work, but the owner simply doesn't have the time. I work for a small family-run outfit, and he's the only one there during the day. He's either busy with clients or programming new studies.

I have decided to look for another part-time position during the day and leave this company. I just don't think that this company is right for me. Because most of the work there is at night, they should hire people who have their own transportation and are able to work the extra hours that they want. I just simply can't do it. And if they ever require me to stay past 9 o'lock, I will resign from there immediately!

I am hoping to get another day position soon, especially before the spring and summer get here. And with it, come the threat of thunderstorms; especially at night. I have had a fear of thunderstorms ever since I was a kid, and I will take a cab home instead. I'd rather get to my door safe and sound than have to stand outside waiting outside for a bus during a thunderstorm, and end up getting struck by lightning. It is time for me to go.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Fagan.
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