Dear Editor,
It should be made compulsory that governmental and private sector employees state their name when answering the telephone. This would make them accountable for their oftentimes boorish behaviour. It is sickening to recall these experiences and makes one think twice when having to make a call to any organization.
Firstly, the person invariably does not listen carefully or does not want to listen for any length of time. His/her speech always overrides that of the caller. When rebuked, the receiver becomes rude and seems contemptuous. I have been interrupted on many occasions by the remark, “Sir, I don’t have time for that.” I would often not get a name from the receiver if I request one, or I would be asked why I want that or be told that the name is not important. Sometimes the person would tell me that there is only one person in his/her department who can handle my issue and that person is presently unavailable. I would know that the matter can be dealt with by anyone in that department as everyone in that department has access to such information.
I have come up with so many reasons for such apathetic behaviour by people who are there to provide a service to all and sundry and want to obtain benefits, but leave some of us not wanting to interact with them. Some of my reasons are an insufficient or small salary; little or no training in customer relations; disregard for the employer, colleagues and customers; poor upbringing; no awareness of the importance of his/her role; unhappiness about his/her life, family, friends, or country; unsuitability for the job and little or no supervision. I am identifying the most prominent, weak areas. Other people might be able to add to this list. As I am now writing about companies, I will highlight what I deem to be a flaw in GTT’s operations.
I think it is discriminatory to GTT’s cell phone users to offer additional credit if one “tops up” abroad. Why can’t one obtain the same benefit if one does so locally? Maybe GTT is enjoying a safe haven for their revenues which are generated abroad. Could it suddenly face a similar backlash to what Apple and other companies faced when they were asked to pay up billions of euros owed?
Yours faithfully,
Conrad Barrow
