Need Advise
Well, I thought I'd share a bit of my new job. I started a new position about a month ago, a position set up by a job agency. I have to say, It is the absolute worst atmosphere I have ever experienced in my life. How could the agency not have known? Three hires before me have quit this job. I have never been so depressed. It is a position with a large law firm as a foreclosure paralegal. I have many years experience in real estate and title work, just not the same aspect as this position. My "training" consisted of less than 2 hours, a manual and shown my cubicle and computer. That's it. On my 2nd day my "team leader" has a sign posted outside her cubicle, stating don't talk or bother me, Email me if you have any questions. (this sign is up almost every day) What a joke. I say "good morning" and not even a nod. Today was the worst. I was given a new assignment, and she screamed at me in front of the whole office, telling me(exact words here) "pretend I'm your mother don't ask why.. just do it" I have never encountered such nastiness in my life. I so much wanted to tell her to take her files and shove it.. but that wouldn't be professional. I don't think I can last any longer.. I have had one interview for a contract job last week, but haven't heard. Tomorrow AM I have another early morning interview. (different job) I really was hoping I could last till I found something else...I need the money, this is the first decent salary I've had in a while.. Please , What would you do???
When people are placed from a temp agency, job agency, employemtn agency or whatever, it is expected that they are already knowledgable and will not need any training outside of being shown where your desk is, the supplies are kept and the different icons on your computer. The expectation is that you know the job already or are enough of a self-starter that you can figure it out.
This, of course, is not always true. You obviously know enough that you can do the job, but all employers are different, want things done in a different way and, despite what a lot of employers believe, people who come from temp agencies are not mind readers.
Have you tried contacting the agency who placed you? I am giving them the benefit of the doubt here (probably undeserved) and guessing that they don't know that the "team leader" isn't leading the team. They may not know about the horrible conditions. Perhaps, they need to come by for an unscheduled visit with you. They can pretend to be talking to you about the job you are doing and covertly checking things out.
Been there, done that! Call your agency and see if they can get someone else. Don't tell the company a thing at first. If that doesn't work out and you can afford it, ask the company to request someone else. They usually have verbiage in their contracts which allow them to let you go, if they don't like you. My employers can let me go anytime within the first half of their contract period.
There are good jobs and bad jobs out there just as there are good companies and bad companies out there. In the future, ask for the shortest assignment possible until you see if works out. That's what I did.
I have a 10 day walk clause now. That means if there is anything I don't like about an assignment, I can leave within 10 business days - no questions asked. But I know now which contracts I like and which ones I would never go back to so I have only used it once.
If nothing else, remember that you won't be there forever and thank God you aren't a full time employee.