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‘Why would I want a promotion if I could earn as much as my TL or sup, sometimes even more?’
WHO doesn't want a promotion? Who doesn't want recognition for a job well done? Of course, nobody wants to get stuck running errands for somebody else for the rest of his career. At one point or another, every rank-and-file, run of the mill employee wants to be running the game just like his overly demanding bosses. He secretly dreams to someday brag to his former colleagues or college buds that he finally made something great out of himself even if he ranked at the bottom of his class or didn't even make it to the commencement ceremonies. He also wants to have the chance to throw some occasional crankiness at his staff and simply get away with it because nobody would have the guts to complain. And that every typical employee aims at climbing up the corporate ladder goes without saying.
Let's stay close to home. In the fast-paced, dynamic industry of call center, opportunities for an endorsement for a higher post are just inevitable. An entry-level employee, who may also be an agent, usually breaks into the world of call center with enough expectations that with hard work, commitment, and sufficient experience he can have the edge to get ahead and be recognized. And this notion can't be anymore true. But, would you believe that there are actually people who are already professionals in the field who are not quite ecstatic about the whole idea of promotion - well, at least for the time being? It might sound rather silly to say no to a well deserved status-lift at work but these individuals have their reasons - very good reasons for that matter.
The TOPSELLERS
These so-called "money makers" are found in the outbound or "telemarketing" flank of the business who are earning beyond what a typical rep like them does on a monthly basis. In a good-selling month, their tax deductions for commissions alone are bigger than their fellow agents' salaries.
Jane, a consistent top seller in a call center in Ortigas, shares her thoughts when she was aptly informed about a possible promotion:
"I was, honestly, very happy when I was told that they were eyeing me for a supervisory position because I can't say that I didn't dream of it because I did. I think every agent does. It's just that, at the moment, my selling niche is at its peak. And I simply don't want to let go of the opportunity to earn more when I can. That's one risk that I had to take because I had to choose between the big bucks or the promotion. But I'm positive that when the time comes that I'm no longer earning as much, I would surely consider the position. I would even apply for it if I have to - but not now, at least not yet."
If she is up for it for the money, Toby, a star agent at another call center in Makati, jokes about the other extras that he seems to be quite proud to be enjoying as well:
"Why would I want a promotion if I earn as much as my TL (Team Leader) or sup (supervisor), sometimes even more? Besides, if you're looking for status, and you know you can bring in the numbers at work, you are already an instant celeb! You get to be the star in your own game - your coagents follow after your pamatay (killer) closing techniques, your sup makes sure you have all you need on the floor, and the company takes good care of you because you are a productive asset. I know all these are temporary and somewhat pressuring but it's nice to know that your hard work is recognized, which is very rewarding aside from the money."
Talk about striking while the iron is hot! In any case, it's a decision that proves that there is still an element of a gamble even if it the subject of such choices involves someone's bread and butter. These people still opt down a relatively more long-term position for reasonable considerations.
The FULL-TIME PART-TIMERS
These are employees in the industry who have enough responsibilities before their call center workload would even come into the picture. These are the full-time agents who are working students, full-time parents or single parents, part-time or freelance professionals who already have their hands full because of the prior obligations and commitments. They go about balancing their day from getting from one class to another, rushing home to bringing their kids to school, or cramming for a deadline in their other careers. The agent setup seems to be perfect for these individuals for they are not exposed to as much pressure and responsibility as a supervisor or a superior would need to bear.
Sheila, a single mom who spends her evenings as a call center agent and sacrifices her much-needed sleep during the day to take care of her three kids, agrees on the favorable schedule at work:
"Two of my kids go to school already so I always rush home, sometimes excuse myself for post shift meetings, because I still have to prep them up and bring them to school. It's convenient for me to keep the regular hours of an agent because I don't need to extend at work, which is going-to be hard to avoid once I get a higher position. And naturally, a notch higher would mean bigger responsibilities for me as well. And I simply can't afford that now because I have kids."
A group of law students were talking about their respective full-time jobs that they had to take to support their studies. One of them laments about the situation at his office:
Law Student 1: "Bro, ang hirap din pala talaga makipagsabayan sa mga full-timers. 'Yung mga dating tinuturuan mo lang, ngayon manager na. Grabe, nakakapanghinayang din minsan. Alam mo namang kayang-kaya mo kaya lang di ka lang makahirit kasi you have other priorities." ("Bro, it's really hard to compete with the full-timers. I remember those former trainees who only used to shadow with me. Today, most of them are already managers. Sometimes, I can't help feeling bad about it 'coz I know I can do better, it's just that I have other priorities.")
Law Student 2: "Di bale pare, after passing the bar, we'll get more than they are getting...way more. So tyaga-tyaga lang muna tayo. Our time will come." ("Don't worry, Bro. After passing the bar, we'll get more than what their getting ...way more. Let's just live with it for now. Our time will come.")
It's understandable for these people to feel occasional dismay or discouragement for their current position especially knowing that it's never a question of skills and abilities - it's just a matter of circumstances or priorities.
The CALL CENTER HOPPERS
If others are not particularly interested with getting a career boost via a higher position, some players in the business find it hard to even stay at one place (one company), at least long enough for them to be even eligible for a promotion. Worst, some don't stay to be even get to regular status. This trend is rampant nowadays due to the bigger demand for manpower than what the labor force can provide.-It makes so many feel rather invincible against the possibility of being jobless, well, at least not for a very long time. This phenomenon maybe too flattering these days but it's just a matter of time before we are able to fully adjust to the rapid and enormous growth of the call center and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry here in the Philippines.
This may not necessarily mean that these so-called call center hoppers are closing doors to promotion. Attitude towards work does reflect the weight of one's short-term objectives and generally affects their future goals as far as it is concerned. Needless to say, those who are patient and flexible enough to stay at one post to realize both the company's and their own potential may actually dig the prize of realizing a job they can look forward to doing for a very long time.
There maybe other reasons why anyone would or would not want to get a promotion. And surely, there are many ways for us to achieve what we want in the same way that there are tons of reasons for us not to do so. What is important is for us to be as happy and as productive as we can be at our current state, and make sure that we have a viable plan that we should focus on so all our efforts would not be in vain.
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