Training is minimal. You will end up answering calls for around 18 different newspapers, all of which have different redelivery cut off times throughout the day, dispatching procedures, and other specific factors. You learn as you go, and it can be a complicated job. Supervisors are usually helpful, but ask too many questions and they'll talk about you behind your back or complain that you aren't getting it even though they've told you how to do something "a thousand times". $9.50 an hour is not worth it. On top of the confusion, you get screamed at by customers in, on average, about 70-90 calls per operator per day. Supervisors also don't like talking to irate customers, one of them is actually afraid of confrontation and gets angry at everyone when asked to call someone back, which often leaves the responsibility on you to call them back when you already have a boatload of other calls coming in and other requests to follow up on. At times, the emails you send for them to look into get responses back that don't even make sense - it's like they don't even read them half the time. It's one big disorganized lazy mess - and you get taxed to death on your already meager paycheck for it. You can get incentives too from certain things like saving customers from cancelling their subscription by discounting their price. Usually around $1.00-$3.00 each, but it's in your best interest to keep track of all the incentives you got because even if you send it in on the form you're supposed to send it in on, they may not honor it. They refuse to give raises and won't promote. They recently got rid of two people who had been working for over 20 years there due to "position elimination", both of which they filled with younger employees days after. This company really doesn't know if it's coming or going. Also the people in production that print the Northwest Indiana Times newspaper everyday working 12 hour shifts only make $7.50/hr. Most unappreciated, hardest workers. I really have very little positive to say. The CEO also gives herself bonuses and this was a contributing factor to layoffs in the past year. Needless to say I am seeking a new position as soon as possible.
