question about a new job?

Question

I accepted a job thru a staffing firm and I was to start last Friday. The job was for an accounting position. The whole day I was stuck answering the phones and had nothing to do. My boss decides to hire and then leaves to go on vacation for 2 weeks. I wasn't sure why I was hired if she was going to leave. I think it was the staffing company wanting to take me out of the job market so I wouldn't look for another job. She indicated in our interview that she wanted to rearrange the office and totally train my position. I was ok, but I had no idea she was leaving for two weeks.
So of course I go in to day and ask can I assist anyone and all said no, and basically I was stuck answering the phone again. I made up an excuse and left early because I REFUSED to sit there and look at the wall.
They called the staffing firm and basically said they did not want me back.
I don't get these staffing companies? Why do they do this crap? Wasted my time.

NO THE STAFFING FIRM ARE CROOKS. IF YOU DONT GET THEIR TIMESHEET SIGNED, THEY DONT PAY YOU, PERIOD! HAPPENED TO ME

Answer 1

Please try to keep this in mind: Poeple hire people to solve problems, not to create them.

Is this staffing agency placing you in temporary positions? It's unclear from your statement. Perhaps you want to try another agency.

Answer 2

I directed staffing companies for a number of years and can totally see your frustration. It probably goes both ways.

First, the person who took the job order may not have been fully told what the situation was and her main goal was to find a match for a job with the most qualified candidate. You interviewed, you accepted the job, you were hired, and the job may not be exactly what was communicated but you are still receiving the pay that was promised. You were probably asked to communicate any issues you may have with the staffing company but since their point of contact has left on vacation their hands are tied for the two weeks your new boss is away. So you are left frustrated , answering phones, which you may not even know how to do since you are an accountant.

In the defense of the staffing company. you are being paid for an accountants position working as a receptionist, and if this is relayed to anyone but the contact the company will merely want to lower your salary vs change the job. So they are trying to communicate, and now they have just lost a client because you chose to walk off the job without giving them the chance within a day to resolve the issue. While I see your frustration you have now put that staffing company in a negative light because you just walked out.

I totally see both sides and sense your frustration but can tell you unless you act quickly the agency will not work with you again. You will be on a "not eligible for rehire" list and will be blackballed. I would apologize as quickly as possible and suck it up if you want to try and work with them and also make an effort to make good with the company. Even though they get a bad rap staffing agencies try as hard as possible to fill with the most qualified candidates- getting them out of the job market is the goal because you need the job, you know?

I hope this helps. It may not be the answer you were looking for though,.

Answer 3

Who knows? Maybe the mgr didn't think it was important enough to tell you she was going on vacation, or she had a thousand things on her mind.
But there might have been a reason for having you just sit there and answer the phones, Maybe when she gets back from vacation she will train you in all the aspects of the position she had in mind.It's only 2 weeks, and they're paying you to just be there.
Oh, that's right. You left. We'll never know how good this position may have been, will we???

Answer 4

The staffing company has a financial incentive to get you hired. They make a commission from the company that hired you. They don't care much if it's exactly what you are looking for, as long as you are hired.

Try craigslist.org to look for jobs that better match your needs.

Answer 5

I'm so sorry to hear that they wasted your time. I've been there before. Pretty much, the only thing I can suggest is that don't settle for anything less. If that situation made you unhappy, then it's a good thing your not there anymore. You may qualify for unemployement benefits and they will have to pay you. Because an employer cannot fire you without a good reason. Best of luck to you.

Answer 6

You know they will do that crap as long as your in the crapper, working for someone else, you just have to learn to live with it. http://www.getgoodstuff.net