The Red Guide to Temp Agencies

Review of Supporting Cast

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10 East 40th Street
New York, NY 10016
(212) 532-8888

Total time with agency:
January 1999 (3 months)

Wait for first assignment:
0 Hours

Average wait between assignments:

Last five jobs:

Job Title	Length	Client	Hourly Wage	Typical of agency?
Secretary/WP	2 Months		18
				Y
				Y
				Y
				Y

Tests given:
Microsoft Office (Excel, Word & Powerpoint) Typing

Payroll policies:
On-site time sheet pickup:
Direct deposit of payroll checks:
Free check cashing at agency's bank:

Benefits:
Medical insurance:
Dental insurance:
Paid vacation:
Transportation allowance:
Entertainment allowance:
Matching contributions:

Comments:
I had viewed this site and came up with Supporting Cast. I called and made an appointment. I was kind of in need of an assignment. I had taken a 3 week break and needed the money.

I went in and took the test (I scored 98% on the word test, 87% on excel and 67 wpm on the typing test), to say I knew what I was doing and have over 15 years experience as a executive assistant. I waited maybe 10 minutes before Susan came to interview me.

We started chatting, basically nothing special. I explained to her that I hadn't had a assisgment for a while and I was kind of desparate. She asked what rate I was looking for and I told her the least I would take was $17. No problem, she had an long-term assignment that would pay $18 and it started the next day. Susan informed me that the assignment would be typing in tables. OK, I could do that, after all I scored 97% on my Word test. EXCELLENT, she gave me all the information and I was on my way.

When I got home, there was a message from Susan. The assignment was still on, but could I start on Monday, instead of Wednesday. No problem, even though I was disappointed, hey, an assignment on Monday was better than nothing. I asked if she had anything else that I could do for the remainer of the week. Susan said she would keep me in mind and let me know. No phone calls, but on Friday she called to see if I was still going to the assignment, I told her yes and I would call her when I got to the assigment.

Bright and early I got to the company. I waited for one hour and 20 minutes for my direct supervisor. I should have know I was in trouble. I would be working in the word processing department. I have NEVER worked in a word processing department. Nowhere on my resume does it says I worked in a word processing department!! Yet, I was desparate and needed the money but I started.

Supporting Cast gets paid on Wednesday, after 5:00 pm. No banks, you MUST go to the check cashing site if you need your money that night. I really have a problem with this, I never had an agency that paid you that late. I worked for George Washington birthday, my supervisor said she would pay me double time. Supporting Cast would have not paid me for this, even though it is a legal holiday. Strike number two. On Wednesday, when I went to get my check, guess what, no time and a half for working the holiday. Susan was surprised that I was suppose to get overtime and told me that I would have to wait till Friday (mind you, this was Wednesday). Susan said she would have to look into it and I should call her the next day I was informed that there was nothing they can do. My counselor was not there and payroll closes at 5:00 pm! The next morning I made sure I called, Susan said because I put the 11th as weekending instead of the 5th, payroll didn't pay. But I didn't even mentioned that I put overtime is due on this timesheet, if any questions, please talk to my counselor. Whatever, just make sure I get my correct money. I am quite sure Susan thought I had a bad attitude and you know what I did! The following week I was paid for 7 hours, which I thought was a mistake, but wasn't. The payroll department was rude, but what could I expect.

The final straw of my career came with my paycheck on 4/8. I fax my timesheet in every Friday, even though it is not due until Tuesday. I said hello to both Susan and some other lady. The response was cool, but hey, just give me my check. My check isn't there. What is going on now. Did you call payroll to make sure they received your fax? No, when did this started. You have to call to confirm receipt. Why? To make a long story short, my paycheck was together with someone elses.

But you know what? Agencies expect you to be on time, professional and well-groomed. Which I am all of the above, in return, I want my check every payday with any hassles. Once in awhile, OK, but not every week.

This is my last week on this assignment and my first and last assignment with Supporting Cast.

Good riddance!!

Reporter:

Email:

Date:
Tue Apr 13 20:10:09 GMT 1999

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The Red Guide to Temp Agencies is copyright 1994-2004 by Angus B. Grieve-Smith.
It may be reproduced in its entirety, but may not be sold for profit or reproduced in part without written permission of the Editor.

Feel free to email me with questions or comments. Please do NOT email me your resume. I am not an employer, and I cannot get you a job. If you send me your resume anyway, I will report it to your internet provider. My email address is grvsmth@panix.com.