The Red Guide to Temp Agencies

Review of Essex Temporary Services

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1501 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
(212) 391-1515

Total time with agency:
5 Months

Wait for first assignment:

Average wait between assignments:

Last five jobs:

Job Title	Length	Client	Hourly Wage	Typical of agency?
				Y
				Y
				Y
				Y
				Y

Tests given:
Ms Word, MS Excel, Typing

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

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

Comments:
It is the recession of 2003 and temp agencies are placing ads that say business is great, we have lots and lots of jobs. So the impression was in the NY Times on-line ad placed by Essex.

When Tyra called me she was so upbeat I decided to expend yet another precious $4 for car fare and the usual dry cleaning money for my suit and the resume copies to go down and see what's up.

I get there and the receptionist was about as blah as could be. Dingy number one, bad impression. Isn't it something how counselors always want the temps to "behave" professionally and yet sometimes their own front desks are the exact "do not do this" kind of things they'd admonish you for.

I tested, I filled out applications and was spoken to by several people.

The most annoying one was this woman who's name I forgot. She is in charge of "new business". She actually had the knockers to question me in detail about the names and addys of other people I'd worked for on temp assignments at other agencies. So this was a case of fishing for small fries in an already small pond. She was so insistent to get the exaact name and details of one assignement I'd only been at for a few days and I had just passed through.

Then I spoke with Basilia, who in better times would've been a person I'd love to have contact with. She clearly explained the procedures and what the agency offered. But alas the jobs, like the other woman said, were only paying $7.50 an hour or so.

I was then introduced to Sybil Irby who is quite professional and again, like I said, in good economic times she would be a great counsellor. I could see she was detail oriented and precise. However when she said "How low a fee would you accept? $10.00 per hour?" I decided not to pursue anything at this agency.

I want to seriously ask all these people why do you waste my time? After taxes on a salary of $350 a week I'd come home with perhaps $225 or so a week. How can you support a family of 4 on $900 a month??????? Tell me, counselors and clients how would you do that?

Reporter:
Katie Stevens

Email:
katiestevens2003@yahoo.com

Date:
Sun Jul 27 05:10:28 EST 2003

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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.