For call center employees: Just how stressful is your work?

I worked as a call center agent too albeit we deal more with local clients. I have my own share of complaints but nothing too difficult to handle. What i hated the most is the graveyard shift. Where you literally have to put matchsticks between your eyelids just to stay awake. And that weird feeling of getting up at 8PM and take a bath to prepare yourself to go work. The feeling of lighheadedness made me think that if it's going to continue i'm going nuts. And feeling like a zombie after your shift feeling dehydrated and sleepy on your way home.

I work in a call center as a team leader. Talk about stress. Everyday is a battle for the agents to make sure they don't miss a day at work or be late. Every absence has to be explained to your own boss. And then you have to worry about why your agents can't seem to remember a simple process in call. They know what they're supposed to do but they don't do it because they're bored, or tired. Every month you land on the bottom of the heap, you're being frowned upon. And you don't want to fire someone, but you don't have a choice because you've given them all the coaching they could need, all the guidance and they still do something to their stats to kill themselves. I have to get to the office earlier than my team, and stay later after all of them have left. I Just want a job where I don't have to worry about anyone else. :-(

I work in a call center, answering phones. It can be quite stressful at times.. I work 3rd shift.. so It is a little slower during my shift than during the day, so often times I get a chance to unwind between stressful phone calls. Most of them are ok. But there is the occasional irate or just plum crazy person. lol Then there are the stupid people -they annoy me more than anything. If I get people cussing at me.. I tell them 1) not to. 2) (if they continue) I will disconnect our call 3) our calls are being recorded and I warned you if you can't control yourself, (why should I) good-bye. Many times if someone is just ranting and wont listen we put them on hold and wait a minute.. it gives them the opportunity to calm down. But I've been here for 11 years now, And I have been accustomed to the job.

I worked as a call center agent for a while, and it's one of the most stressing jobs that I have ever done. I never want to repeat that experience again... Not only you have to talk to angry people on the phone all the time who will call you all kind of things, but in the office you're recorded so they can point out any little mistake you make. It's too much pressure, so call center agents often develop depressions

Well, I only work part-time because I have small children and don't want them to stay in after care. To be honest it sucks!:( Pleople scream at me all the time. They call hysterically with problems and they want the solution NOW. It's draining and nerve wrecking to see the least. When I get home I'm fried and have to prepare myself some chamomile tea to calm my nerves so I don't get a nervous break down! :((

Hi there. Just like your friend says it is extremely hard to be a call center agent.Patience is needed and is expected of you by the company and your supes as well. Cussing and cursing at the customer is a no no and will get you either a warning or fired from the company. There are a lot of metrics to maintain like your aht, your csat and your voice should be well full of personality to say the least.You are also required to offer an additional service regardless if the customer is irate or not because if you don't, they will deduct it on your evaluation. Non voice accounts that have chat or email support are less stressful since you won't be shouted at, you'll just see all the bad words written in an email lol.