hi, I tried searching the forum for this but couldn't find anything..
which is the best day to buy the star for job adverts? I am looking for a job over the summer until uni starts again.

cheers, harriet

Thursdays :thumbsup:

thanks very much :)

Joining one of the employment agencys in town might by quicker and easier than going through the star for jobs

i found the search on job centers site quite good, try it!!
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

thursdays star tends to have more jobs in than any other day, but very limited still :(

thanks for the advice everyone :)

Depends on what kind of job your looking for. There is always the Meadowhall job list :)

i am looking ideally for temporary administration or shop work, something to tie me over until Uni starts again and i get my next loan through!

I would like to work near broomhill or within walking distance as i won't have use of a car and meadowhall is a bit far away unfortunatly.

I know people who work at the Royal Hallamshire via Office Angels. Not sure what the demand is at the moment, but maybe worth a try.

Try the clerical register at the jobcentre. You might get a summer job within a government department. Easy work and pay ain't so bad.

Avoid job centres like the proverbial plague IMO... They're full of numpties who don't know what they're doing and care more about the figures than getting people into the RIGHT job for THEM :loopy:

At least that was my experience of job centre staff when I was on the dole back in 1997.

Obviously you dont believe in things progressing then Rich in the last 7 yrs :loopy:

Originally posted by Dick Dastardly
Try the clerical register at the jobcentre. You might get a summer job within a government department. Easy work and pay ain't so bad.

If you get in on AO level the pay just about qualifies as a pittance. but the work is less than demanding, not to say dull - however in the summer, flexi time is a seriously useful thing to have.

Originally posted by Rich
Avoid job centres like the proverbial plague IMO... They're full of numpties who don't know what they're doing and care more about the figures than getting people into the RIGHT job for THEM :loopy:

At least that was my experience of job centre staff when I was on the dole back in 1997.

Well i think you will find a lot has changed since 1997 and some of us "numpties" do take the time and effort to find the right sort of job for people.. despite being talked to like dirt and sworn at a lot.. so yes I would recomend the jobcentre they can give you all the agency details they allways have lots of seasonal work also try ant marketing at broomhill

I would think that the job centre would be useful since that's what they do rich! I'm sure they are not that bad, although Full Monty does spring to mind!

I emailed Ant Marketing today, thanks very much :)

AVOID Ant Marketing like the plague.

Worked there once.... AWEFUL place to work!
Clerical Register I can whole heartedly recommend as per Dick Dastardly's suggestion.

I heard really bad things about Ant Marketing! I know quite a few people who have worked there, not one has something good to say about it!

well desperation means that despite comments on here I have an induction with Ant on friday, so i'll let you know if it's still a horrible place!

Are the Porsche's that I see round Sheffield with the plates ANT 1 & ANT 4 anything to do with this company.
Just curious, that's all.

yeah, the managers have nice nice company cars, but i've also heard bad things about working there..

Originally posted by HarrietStar
well desperation means that despite comments on here I have an induction with Ant on friday, so i'll let you know if it's still a horrible place!

Good luck for Friday!

Just remember to ask where the fire escapes and the loos are because in my experience of Ant - they wont volunteer this information!

whats the pay like there?

they told me £5 an hour basic rate and commission on top. I'll give it a go, I can always quit, but i need the money! haha

I can't stress enough that Ant are bloody awful...

I've NEVER heard a good thing about them and the horror stories.. no scrap that factual experiences.. that people who worked for them relayed to me over the years say they have NO intention of changing..

Seriously don't do it... they're just the pits.

Lots of jobs at safeways available at all of the shops might be worth phoning them up

well, I went for my induction and training yesterday and was shown all the safety procedures and had an indepth one to one training going through the scripts and targets etc. Have yet to actually use the phones but will be shown that when I next work. I do think it is boring work, and the company obviously makes more money than they pay proportionally, but it's nothing less than what I expected from a call centre really. they pay ok, with bonuses and you get to choose your shifts and stuff. I will let you know more when I actually start the work myself :)

Originally posted by HarrietStar
they pay ok, with bonuses and you get to choose your shifts and stuff. I will let you know more when I actually start the work myself :)
The bonuses have been the bone of contention on a lot of occassions...

Best of luck...

A friend of mine worked for them for 3 weeks, and received the sum total of NOTHING from thema after she quit for sexual harrassment from a so-called supervisor.....she is still trying to get 3 weeks wages from them 6 months later, and some compensation via legal aid process. AVOID.....they are a total and complete rip-off and I have that on VERY good authority.

well, worked my first shift today and I have to admit it is pretty bad. Been there about 20 mins when we were told we weren't meeting targets and that for every one person who gets fired there are 20 to take their place. Not the nicest place. But, I do like that they don't seem too bothered about when you work, and hopefully they will pay me, fingers crossed anyway!

and today we were told that if we didn't meet our targets we will be sent home.. so yeh, exploitation and poor staff handling at its worst!

try www.worktrain.gov.uk its great !!

I'd like to set the record straight. The standards at ANT have increased over the last 12 months, in terms of facilities and procedures. Anthony Hinchliffe has invested heavily in new equipment, better working conditions and support for new and existing executives who come into the company.

I'm sure that the issues highlighted on this website are but personal views of the company, and although some seem completely valid, I feel that this is a small percentage. Unfortunately the term 'mud sticks' comes to mind.

ANT currently employs around 1000 employees, working on campaigns such as ACE Europe, Caudwell and Npower. Giant corporations would not work with ANT if all the above was true. I would welcome all the people who have complained about ANT to come down to the Sheaf Quay branch and maybe watch Sky TV on the Caudwell floor, or have a game of golf, or a penalty shoot out on the ACE floor. All the agents are made welcome, and I find this kind of attitude 'negative', as there are mangers at ANT who truly care about the welfare of their staff and their work.

Although there are issues, as there are in any call centre environment, the number of executives who leave ANT's employment and then come back is high. I have worked at ANT as a manger for a year and a half now, and will not sit back and read accusations about a company which does not deserve the reputation it has on this website!!

Regards

Joey

joey, i don't work at the sheaf quay branch so i can't comment there, but having worked for ant i have seen that the managers seem to benefit much more than the rest of the staff, the facilities are far from luxury and the computer systems are completely out of date. since working there, the turnover of staff has been very high and almost everyone i have spoken to seems unhappy working there. This is just my personal experience.

The Sheaf Quay site is an advanced and progressive contact centre.

Currently the Sheaf Quay site has a great reputation as a great place to work.

I know many people who currently work there who enjoy a relaxed and fun working environment, a good, fair and generous bonus scheme and various incentives to hit targets.

How many other contact centres play golf in the middle of the floor ?

How many other contact centres have plasma screens playing MTV, or Sky Sports ?

How many other contact centres have the most relaxing and picturesque breakout areas (sitting next to the waterside eating lunch is a great way to chill out !)

The majority of the management team down at the Sheaf Quay branch care about their staff, they care about providing a fun working atmosphere and they care about getting a professional job done working as a team.

I also know that Ant Marketing's growing reputation has seen it now at the stage where there is a list of people wanting to start there - how many other contact centres have that ?

And how many other contact centres see staff leave only to return a few weeks later because the grass isn't greener elsewhere ?

How many other contact centres do prize draws twice a day for their staff and give away dvd players, tv's, hi-fi's, watches, personal stereos' etc ?

This all happens down at the Sheaf Quay site as 'the norm'

On the sales side of things the clients that Ant currently serve are amongst the largest blue chip companies in the country and they are currently delighted with the atmosphere and facilities - this is why they choose Ant Marketing.

Every company in the world has 'horror stories' from ex-employees - I just feel that this thread is very unfair and just hope that some of the thousands of students for instance that have worked at Ant over summer months in the past will post their experiences of Sheaf Quay to set the record straight.

The Sheaf Quay site of Ant Marketing is an exciting, young, fast moving atmosphere and people are literally queueing up to work there.

Originally posted by Sheffielder
Every company in the world has 'horror stories' from ex-employees - I just feel that this thread is very unfair and just hope that some of the thousands of students for instance that have worked at Ant over summer months in the past will post their experiences of Sheaf Quay to set the record straight.
.

I hope that they do too - a bit of balance is nice. No doubt anyone with good experiences of working for Ant Marketing will post... only lots and lots of negative ones so far though. :confused:

again, an experience of the sheaf quay site, seems all the investment goes into that branch then!

Ive worked at Ant Marketing now for the almost 3 years as a caller..

I feel I have to come to Ant's defense here... Ant marketing in the past 3 years have never underpaid me, my cheque has always been correct.. and so has my bonus.
The main reason I have been paid correctly is because I know how to look after my 'Swipe Card'. All employees all get issued with a swipe card when they start at Ant, and it's up to them to look after it and use it correctly.. The people that don't get paid the correct amount are the people that "Forget to swipe in and out".. and just generally can't be bothered to tell a member of staff that they have forgotton to 'swipe'.. (they just sit there and think; "it'll be alright, my bum's on the seat, so i'll be getting paid")..

People that have worked there for a lengthy period of time like myself, always make the newcomers feel welcome and at home and so do the rest of the staff!!!

People that come on this forum and tell the rest of you guys that it is a terrible place to work are the people that can't hack the job.. and the reason they can't hack it, is because they can't really hack any kind of job because they are lazy (which could be a bit harsh, but deep down is really true!!), and don't want to 'muck in' and earn some 'honest change' to put in their back pocket like honest hard working people..... They just think that they can sit there and get paid for, well, just sitting there.... There not intersted in meeting there own personal 'sales target' or doing anything else for that matter...

In my opinion the people that aren't serious about the job that they do at Ant Marketing, are the people that Ant Marketing don't need (hangers on, till something else comes along that pays more money, and where they can be bone idle!!)

I can honestly say, and hold my head up high when I say it..
During the past 3 years i've never looked for another job, its exciting, you get to meet all kinds of new people (even some fit chix), and it pays very well.... And if your honest and hard working they will reward you, and help you with anything that you need..

Good luck to the 'honest' who dont mind mucking in for a bit of good money...

And for the people that cant be bothered with the job good luck to you aswell, because you won't get very far in this life or the next......

Thanx

well first of all, i had no complaints with the pay, i do think they pay fairly and my cheque was right this month, the swipe card system works well, i agree with you there. i also agree that the other callers made me feel very welcome, but the managers just seem to sit on their bottoms and boss other people around, i have found the majority of them far from helpful.
as for hacking the job, I actually enjoy the sales work and meeting the targets, i find it a challenge. I was criticising the staff management and morale, i found that the best way to work productively is to work to your own targets, and to try not to let the de-motivational talk that the managers throw at you get to you. Like i said, I like the work, and I've always worked hard, but i think their staff handling and the way they treat their staff is the worst I've seen, and i've had plenty of jobs that i've done very well in before you ask.

Which department do you work in ??

well at the risk of being fired i'd rather not say, haha!

Sorry Harriet i wasn't calling you 'lazy' in the slightest, I was calling it the people that have worked there in the past and quit after a couple of days, or weeks......

Harriet - quit whilst you're ahead. You only get one break in life, take it!

Yeah.... go on quit....... Ant Marketing beat you..... (admit it looser!!)

Originally posted by NotoriousBIG
Yeah.... go on quit....... Ant Marketing beat you..... (admit it looser!!)

Erm what...?

I have worked at Ant Marketing too and as long as you don't want a long term career there you're ok.

Personally I thought it seemed like a battery farm.

The pay's sh*te and the managers treat you like dirt on their shoe - not recommended

For students looking for a bit of extra money, it's fantastic!!!!

I think that's a matter of opinion. Personally if I was a student I think I'd rather work in Safeways on Eccy Rd.

why quit when i'm doing just fine there! Just because i think the conditions are bad, doesn't mean i'm going to chuck in my job, and since when was a job about fighting a battle?

HarrietStar I'm glad you're doing ok there and you're right if you're happy with the crack there you stick with it!

All I'm saying is that I found it a bind there and have since found easier jobs that actually pay better - but it's a case of each to their own innit.

All the best!

no i totally agree with you, the job sucks, but until i find a better job i'm going to stick with it :) thanks x

today at work i was shown a print-out of this thread and told to be careful because it could be seen as slander by the company managers so i'd just like to clarify a few points.

Firstly, when I complained about the managers, I would like to clarify that I was not talking about my particular manager at all, but the 'management' at ant in general. I am happy with the manager in my room.

Secondly, everything I have said in this thread has been of my personal opinion and experience of the Broomhill branch and was not meant to cause offence or trouble for or to the company.

Again, I would like to stress that everything I have said is of my own opinion and if the company were to take disciplinary procedures on this matter i would understand because no employer wants their employees to speak badly of them.

However, I stick by my opinion of the company and the job which is that the company could improve working conditions and the staff handling and morale could be better. If I am disciplined as a result I know that at least I have stuck to my principles and not censored myself so as to keep a job.

Well as long as what you say is truthful you should have nothing to fear. Defamation / libel / slander only apply where there is untruth or illegality. Any other course of diciplinary action would have to be taken on the basis that you had breached some specific contractural condition.

This thread is in a public forum and the firm has had, and exercised its right to respond.

In fairness to them, they have not denied what anyone has said, and they do seem to have some unusual and interesting 'perks'.

In fairness to you I am sure that they would not wish to defend an employment tribunal hearing with the evidence contained within this public forum - and I am sure that they would not wish to embark upon that path either.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and providing it is legal and honest I personally see no reason for it not to appear in the Forum.

yes it is interesting that they haven't actually denied anything yet.

As long as the firm realises that I am not trying to offer a representation of overall staff opinion, just how I personally feel.

I've been working at ANT for about a month now. I quite like it to be honest. They are really flexible with when you work... When I've been at school, I've just done a full day and an afternoon in a week, and now that I'm off school, I can go 9-5 every day to earn myself a bit of cash. I didn't have that in my previous employment, I got what shifts I was given, which were always the bad ones unfortunately.

My only problem has been that they lost my p45, causing me to get emergency taxed. But so long as I get the tax back next month, as I have been promised, I don't mind.

The people that have trained me and helped me have been brilliant. I find that you're learning all the time and that if you talk to everyone and pick up advice from different people who use different techniques, it'll help you to find your own.

I haven't had a problem with any managers, as some people have mentined in this thread. I have been treat extremely well and feel that I can talk to my department managers if I don't think I'm doing too well, or have any concerns. This is definately a good feeling to know that I can address any concerns, should I have any!

A friend of mine wanted a job there but apparently all positions are filled up now, which is a shame as I could have bagged £50 after she worked 50 hours for the company!

I'd definately reccommend it for people in 6th form or at uni, as they are so flexible, it's perfect for an ever changing lifestyle.

not everyone is as lucky as Caprice

If anyone is being intimidated by management in any kind of long term full time work then you should take a look at these:

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk//documents/downloads/CCG_eng_workproblems.pdf

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/coming_soon_july04_work_problems.htm

Holiday jobbers should quit this miserable weather and go sell drinks in a Spanish bar - much more fun!

hey harriet,

did you have a telephone interview before you got the job? or did you have a normal interview? also how much do they pay you and DO THEY pay you?

yeh i had a very short interview over the phone where they asked if i could use a phone and a computer and then they said i had the job. I didn't have a face to face interview, just a short induction session on my first day. Pay is £5 an hour plus bonuses and they have paid me on time so far :)

so they didnt ask you any other questions to see if your suitable for the job? i thought that they normally would test your telephone skills, unless their desperate and would take anyone...

they asked if i could use a telephone, which seemed a strange question since i was talking to them via telephone, and they asked me to rate my computer skills to which i said good to expert. they asked me when i was available to work, and what hours i wanted to work and then they gave me the job. they didn't test me or anything, or ask for proof of my skills. They said at the induction that i would be on a 15 hour training period after which they would assess how well i did, but they haven't mentioned that since and i've worked well over 15 hours now.

ok, so you have a position at the broomhill site?
i could remember ringing many times before, lets say the last time i rang was around 2- 3 months back and i rang a few times before that as well to try and get a job, it was the sheaf quay site and they always say that they will ring you back but they NEVER DID...which was strange because they needed a lot of people as well, someone told me....

I agree that ant marketing could make improvements in certain sectors, but all employees are treated with loads of respect by the management.
Because most of them recognise, that being on the phones for that lengthy period of time is one of the hardest jobs in the world, and so repetative....

But we do live in a democratic society, with freedom of speech... which is why we can talk so freely like we do on this forum. So if disaplinarys within ant marketing are handed out for the threads on this forum, then I do find that very infair...

If people are willing to sacrifice their life in the past and the present for freedom.. Then there is no doubt that people would be willing to sacrifice their jobs for freedom aswell..

As the great Dr Martin Luther King once said;
"Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

As for Warreng.. You weren't what Ant Marketing was looking for..(sorry!!)

well, today we were given chocolate whilst on calls as rewards, which was a nice way of raising morale, more of that i think, and i also think a staff canteen at broomhill would not go amiss. I have always favoured the carrot over the stick :)

well, today we were given chocolate whilst on calls as rewards, which was a nice way of raising morale

No fair!!! I didn't get no chocolate!!! :o :mad:

They'll probably deduct it from your next wage cheque :)

they won't deduct the choclates from your next wage packet!!!

Internetowl, obviously is a bit of a looser, and i'm guessing he is a sheffield wednesday fan!!

Do not go for a job at Ant marketing,,, the job is selling rubbish over the phone and they pay you next to nothing as most of it is commision.
I suggest you go to Tek Personnel agency,, on Trippet lane as it has great jobs at great money.
I got a job at Siemens and am on £7:25 p/h,, and the job is temp and fun.
Good luck

Is the place really that bad ?

Originally posted by Rich
Avoid job centres like the proverbial plague IMO... They're full of numpties who don't know what they're doing and care more about the figures than getting people into the RIGHT job for THEM :loopy:

At least that was my experience of job centre staff when I was on the dole back in 1997.
The problem with the uneployed is that they have too much free time. I think they should all be given jobs that interest them. Then there wouldn't be any unemployed and we can shut down the job centres. Wait a minute where would all the laid off job centre workers go to find jobs? As you can see there is no easy answer!
Or have the staff of spiermint rhino work there. That should cheer the job seekers up. Then job centres would be far more attractive places to visit if there were scantily clad women pole dancing between the boards.:thumbsup:

Originally posted by NotoriousBIG
they won't deduct the choclates from your next wage packet!!!

Internetowl, obviously is a bit of a looser, and i'm guessing he is a sheffield wednesday fan!!



think he was joking............... so no need to start calling him a looser (Loser) i know he is a wed fan, but you cant hold it against him

the pay really isn't that bad, you do get £5 an hour, and more for some jobs, with commission on top, you do get an hourly rate which is better than some sales jobs.

Because he's a wed fan (wednesday fan)..I have every right to hold it against him..

Up the Blades!!!!!!

Originally posted by HarrietStar
the pay really isn't that bad, you do get £5 an hour, and more for some jobs, with commission on top, you do get an hourly rate which is better than some sales jobs.


if only the bus drivers had same perceptions as you, there would be no strike.....

Originally posted by kitkat

I suggest you go to Tek Personnel agency,, on Trippet lane as it has great jobs at great money.
I got a job at Siemens and am on £7:25 p/h,, and the job is temp and fun.
Good luck

Hi kitkat

Hmmm....what kind of job ? What skills required ?

My eldest granddaughter will be looking for a summer job next year.

Always advertising for telesales people, with reasonable salaries. Am desperate enough to give this kind of work a shot. Anyone any experience? oink oink

Mod: Similar threads merged

My best friend worked for ANT, at the site near the botanical gardens. She absolutely loved working there, unfortunately about a month into her getting the job she died and ant were fantastic, they sent some wonderful flowers for the funeral and currently they are in talks about setting up a charity to help buy and fund a new ambulance for South Yorkshire... its just a shame that some people had such bad experiences with them.

Susie

So how many people actually work at this Ant place? They seem to be recruiting all the time so they either have a work force of 10,000 plus if they are still recruiting, or no one ever stays longer a week or two......

I worked here for 4 days when I was desperate...the guy who started with me worked 3 and quit. Also while I was there 2 people quit as they had made however much bonus and only been paid half the amount.

When I was "interviewed" I was told the tale of a 16 year old boy who was asked why he should get the job. They said his response was "well, I know whatever business I go to I will be an asset to them and make money for them. I will reflect the businesses professionalism through myself, and vice versa. In time I hope to climb the promotional ladder in order to better my lifestyle and also help the business grow". (or close to that)

She then said to me, "isn't it lovely when a young man is so focused and knows what he wants at that age?"

I replied "no, its bloody awful!"…..

I was ready to just walk out…but they gave me the job anyway.

It was horrible.

Originally posted by Warreng
ok, so you have a position at the broomhill site?
i could remember ringing many times before, lets say the last time i rang was around 2- 3 months back and i rang a few times before that as well to try and get a job, it was the sheaf quay site and they always say that they will ring you back but they NEVER DID...which was strange because they needed a lot of people as well, someone told me....

Originally posted by NotoriousBIG


As for Warreng.. You weren't what Ant Marketing was looking for..(sorry!!)

Sorry to bump this back to the top, but I just read this thread in it's entirety……how can you say a company is caring and good to people, when you suggest here that this guy wasn't phoned backed because he wasn’t what they were after?

Surely a good reputable honest company would have told him this and not just fobbed him off?

so when you e-mailed them what did you say? did you just give your contact details?

wait a sec.... i just phoned them and asked about their vacancies...they said that they had some... and then i gave them my name and number, and then they said they shall call me abck for a telehpone interview....and they didnt... so how are they supposed to know if im the right person or not if they havent even interviewed me?

sounds to me like they simply forgot to ring you back and to cover for that mistake just said you weren't right. what they should have done was apologise for not ringing you back, give you an interview and then make their decision.

as the man/pig who retstarted this strang i d like to say thanks to anyone who posted it looks like too much negative intel to risk an approach. oink oink

I worked at Ant Marketing. I didn't call for an interview. I just went there and sneaked in with a crowd of students, and straight into a room and listened as they explained what the job is and got the job.

Left after 5 months, with plenty of monies but never went back. I just needed the monies for a computer to set up my biz and well, got it sorted and biz is up and running.

I also worked for ANT some years ago and although I realise somethings have changed I would never advise someone to go for a job there.
My personal experience was similar to a lot of other peoples, not especially dramatic but it paid the wages (poor wages) for a while during a time of need for me.
My manager needed shooting, she sat on her backside and watched everyone, chatted, drank coffee and collected the hourly target sheets like an obsessive school teacher.
We were made to sit in rows facing front.
I was actually pretty good and she never realised this until I had to take a returned call at her desk, after that she spent an awful lot of time sucking up because I was doing well for her team.
I left and got a job with double the pay, one I enjoyed.
Having worked in marketing and management at different times over the years I have found that companies who give incentives generally have rubbish jobs - or why the need for the incentive?
Most call centres have taken an American approach to bribery and competition in the work place, it might give people a reason to work hard but creates no job loyalty, no managerial respect and therefore a poor result generally for the company.
If ANT took the time to put their managers on training courses of how to be a good manager - they might find they could turn the reputation round.
I don't regret my experience - it taught me a lot but I would rather clean toilets for a living than work there again because ultimately - they haven't a clue!

Spot on Zebra. Yah summed up Ant Marketing exactly as it was and still is. Yeah right about the managers, ain't got a damn clue.

am working at ant at the moment (broomhill) its one of the better jobs ive had, its not rushing on your feet all day! the moneys not bad basic wage plus bonuses.

Maybe it wouldnt be good as a large term job but if your just after abit of cash go for it.

I would just like to ask the people who work at Ant.
Is there a guy working there named Gareth Powell?

I used to go to school with him- top lad!
I've heard he is a manager or something along the lines?

Hi Guys

I am desperate for job, as I am a student. Need the money for, well you know what us students are like. Got an assessment next thursday for Ant Marketing. Can anyone shed any light on what this assessment is, and what the chances are of getting a job after the assessment. Like I say, I am desperate, and need the money, and this seems like an easy option until something better comes along.

Thanks

Assessments can vary

Usually it will consist of a round the table discussion, a one to one interview and a sales assessment where you are asked to sell an item to the assessor verbally.

You'll be fine

The assessors look for intelligence, a bright and bubbly personality and for you to bring a cv etc with you.

which one are you going to broomhill?

the one at sheaf quays

Hi,

I recently moved to sheffield and was looking for work. I came across a website called at www.zapwork.co.uk which has casual and part-time work. It's definately worth taking the effort to stick in your cv, just copy and paste it. I managed to get some work after three days, I even got invited to a few jobs from other employers. Its a real clever system. It is new so it might not have loads of work on there but I would definately signup and put my CV on there.

Good luck :)

I tried to get a job at ant marketing but I didn't get it. I think the reason was I had to do a stupid dictation test and I didnt know how to spell a companies name at the start of it.

Also I dont think they liked my accent lol

Glad I didnt get the job now from what ive heard, still looking though :(

Matt

so did you do an assessment?

Hi

I'm new to Sheffield, and have been looking for employment. I have spoke to lots of local people and they have told me that ANT is a great place to work, but I have looked at this forum and many people have said the opposite.

I really need work, but......... should i, shouldn't i

I just don't know. Can anybody shed light on this??

I hear that it varies from site to site as well how well you are treated?

Help...!

Star Boy

A good thread (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11839) on ANT Marketing here..

Have fun reading :suspect:

Hi Deejay,

I have seen these threads and it's a bit of a mixed bag!!!

Have you had experience of ANT?

S_B

Not personally no, I know it's a mixed bag on there but it gives you a taste of what to expect. As for me personally I wouldn't touch em' with a bargepole!

Just watch out because this thread will get merged with the above mentioned thread :)

Thanks Deejay,

I wonder why it's so bad????

S_B

Hi star boy!

I've had a look on had a look on that thread and i think it may be a case of chinese whispers. I have worked there for over a year (granted not now but not due to ANT) and it was fine!

Worked at sheaf quay and staff were a bunch of laughs, even the managers were bearable!!!

that was my experience of it anyway!

caz x

Threads now merged. Thanks

can anyone tell me what the job consists of and what the pay is like?

Originally posted by wwp8
can anyone tell me what the job consists of and what the pay is like?

It depends were you are!! The big money is down at Sheaf Quay. The job is bascally caling people up either selling or informing people of services.

Caz x

erm, basically canvasing?

then definatelly not for me, due to the amount of stick i give to these people who won't take NO for an answer.

I dont know if this really adds to the debate or not but in the two/three years I've been at shef uni ANT advertise in the union for staff a lot which makes me think they must have a really high turnover.

Originally posted by kathythebean
I dont know if this really adds to the debate or not but in the two/three years I've been at shef uni ANT advertise in the union for staff a lot which makes me think they must have a really high turnover.

or maybe, the staff leave quicker than they can employ them ?????

I went for an interview at Ant Marketing about 4 months ago. I found the interview process quite profesional all in all. I also did the dictation and the spelling tests, and I also sat down and did a one-to-one interview with the HR Manager.

It seemed fairly apparent to me that the people they took the most care of were the new ones because of the high turnover.
I went for an interview at the Broomhill site and didn't see a happy face on the phones. I went for another Interview the same afternoon and got offered a job at 15k p/a for a basic so Ant never really got a look in.

For me one of the most important aspects of a job like this is a certain amount of natural sales ability. If you haven't got it the job is always going to be boring for you, let's face it any job that you struggle with is rarely exciting. I feel I should add though that any employee of Ant marketing who feels the need to make joke at other peoples expense on why perhaps they never got a job or why they left does not command an awful lot of respect in my eyes. But no matter what the company and no matter what your boss is like you should remember to never argue with fools, they drag you down to their own level then beat you with experience.

wizzard, so how much times did you go? i went once for an assessment and didnt get it, maybe i didnt have any experience... i know i can do the job if i get it its just that i hate interviews and stuff....

Theres nothing wrong with Ant Marketing, good pay and really good bonus scheme, which works on the hour and how many registrations you do. If you work and put the effort in some hours you can be earning an extra £1.00/£1.50/£2.00 ect, basic wage for me is £4.30 but if i added the bonus onto that hour i could be on £5.30/ £6.30. The only reason people leave so quick is that they cant be bothered to do anywork and it brings them down. The work is really easy and all staff are great including team leaders & managers. If you are going for a job there i would keep at it abit not just go 4 about 2 weeks, because you become more confident longer into the job, so you can make the calls alot quicker which means you will get alot more bonuses. Cheers! :P

During a period of desperate unemployment I worked for a month at Ant marketing, since quitting I get about 6 cold calls a day from really ****ty companies and automated voice messages/scams. I also have got a whole new level of junk mail in my email account, but one I only set up for applying to Ant with and don’t use it for anything else.

Have any other ex employees experienced something similar?

i get a lot more cold calls now as well and seeing as very few people have my home phone (i always use my mobile) it's hard not to think where the junk calls/mail is coming from

Originally posted by Disco_Cat
During a period of desperate unemployment I worked for a month at Ant marketing, since quitting I get about 6 cold calls a day from really ****ty companies and automated voice messages/scams. I also have got a whole new level of junk mail in my email account, but one I only set up for applying to Ant with and don’t use it for anything else.

Have any other ex employees experienced something similar?

why would ant marketing be phoneing you? they get the companies details & numbers from other companies ( Haymarket Publishing) and these magazines are to people who in diffrent jobs, Ant Marketing dont have any control over the numbers and the data, the data is sent they have dead lines to complete it in and then the data is sent back. If your so bothered about getting these cold calls goto http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/ and as the email address, how would they get it?.......i think u must have subscribes to something or signed up for something and not read the small print! :loopy:

well they took all my contact details when i started, obviously i cannot prove its ant that have passed my details on, it probably isn't, i don't know. But, not all their numbers come from the companies i was calling on behalf of - one day when we had no work, we went on the internet and searched for random people's numbers on phone directory sites from sweden, ireland and germany.

Originally posted by Disco_Cat
During a period of desperate unemployment I worked for a month at Ant marketing, since quitting I get about 6 cold calls a day from really ****ty companies and automated voice messages/scams. I also have got a whole new level of junk mail in my email account, but one I only set up for applying to Ant with and don’t use it for anything else.

Have any other ex employees experienced something similar?




This is absolute nonsense and a bit naughty too.

There's absolutely no way that any employees or ex-employees details are used in such a manner.

This would also be contravening the Data Protection Act - something which as a company we take extremely seriously.

Please understand that this is not the case and that your details have not been used in this way.

An apology would be nice too !!

;-)

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Sheffield is particularly hard to find jobs in compared to cities like.,...... Leeds! This is either because: A: people in sheffield want to work so there are less jobs out there or B: no one in sheffield can be bothered to advertise their jobs to the wasters who live here and are on the dole!

Not sure which is right though!

If you are a student, looking for summer work or something that'll fit around your college commitments, Ant is the place for you! If you are a recent graduate looking to start work quickly, Ant is the place for you! Anyone else, to be honest, it's probably the worst place for you...

I worked there for a few months a few years ago... I'd been in face to face sales and noone else would give me the opportunity to get into telesales, but Ant did... They offered no training, and the targets were much lower than those at any other company I've ever worked at since... They also never minded if you didn't go in for a few days as long as you went back eventually... I have to say that I did quite enjoy it, although I found that you had to make sure that your manager remembered to put you on the figures sheet, as often they needed prompting and if you were not on the sheet then you wouldn't get paid whether you swiped in or not...

Many of the managers I knew there have left now and set up call centres of their own - one of them is in Sheffield too - and knowing some people who are still there I get the impression that they are trying to clean up their act, but I have to say that when I decided to leave I was told by a recruitment consultant in Sheffield to knock it off my CV as seeing that I had been there might put potential employers off me!!!

I am a recruitment consultant myself now, and have only found a few companies in Sheffield who are truely 'put off' by seeing Ant on a CV... To be honest some of my favourite candidates have been from Ant! Ex Ant people seem to be social, friendly and really get into their new jobs quickly and easily!

That said, I would like to say that I am not a Stepford Wife! Although I do have blonde hair!

Originally posted by Sheffielder


An apology would be nice too !!

;-)

How about apologising to the thousands of people you annoy every day. Ofcom are not to pleased with you, are they.

"Persistent misuse of electronic communications network(s) or service(s) "


http://www.ofcom.org.uk/bulletins/comp_bull_index/comp_bull_ocases/open_all/cw_835/#content

Is ANT one of those annoying telephone marketing companies that call you at 6:30pm to ask if you want double glazing?

If they are, should they be allowed, or more to the point should SF accept money from this company for advertising, considering the large number of people who regularly complain about this kind of marketing on this site?

Nothing wrong with SF taking money from them. Its a business. A lot of people complain about driving instructor agencies but there is one being advertised on here. I dont see the problem really. If you dont wish to be cold called by ANT et al then you can contact the TPS.

Ant Marketing is mostly "business to business", or was when I worked there a few years ago. If you don't want to be sold to on the phone, it's simple - just hang up on them.

Originally posted by bensonhedges
Ant Marketing is mostly "business to business", or was when I worked there a few years ago. If you don't want to be sold to on the phone, it's simple - just hang up on them.

No, I dont want to be sold to by them at 6:30pm (Dinner Time) when I have already told them (last week) I was not intereted.

Go to tpsonline.org.uk/tps and get on the national Do Not Call register.

ant is more like one tel and homecall not double glazing

I'm with TPS and ex-directory so don't get hassled. ANT are in trouble with Ofcom though for generating silent calls etc
Or as Ofcom put it ......

"Persistent misuse of electronic communications network(s) or service(s) "


http://www.ofcom.org.uk/bulletins/comp_bull_index/comp_bull_ocases/open_all/cw_835/#content

Hi

I am one of the victims of Silent Calls who complained to Ofcom about ANT, as well as others.

As part of the way in which it conducts its outbound operations to give work to you good people ANT causes annoyance, inconvenience and anxiety to people by making Silent Calls.

Despite what you may be told, Silent Calls are not a necessary consequence of using the predictive diallers that keep agents speaking with people most of the time. There is no technical nor legal reason why a brief Informative Message, giving the name of the caller and the general reason for the call, could not be transmitted when someone answers a call and all the agents are busy.

The compliant UK telemarketing industry (and all the jobs that it provides) are under threat in two ways. Firstly, if Ofcom acts properly in the interests of citizens then ANT (and others) will be forced to cease the present method of operation. Secondly, if the industry does not show that it is prepared to treat those who it calls with respect, then registrations with the Telephone Preference Service will continue to grow. Once these have reached a certain level, which is not far off, then there will not be enough people for legal operations to call, and all the work will go overseas where the regulations and the TPS do not apply.

If you work for ANT or care about the jobs that are at risk, please get those driving the fleet of cars with the personalised numberplates to start thinking seriously about using the Informative Message.

For lots on the campain against Silent Calls and other related nuisance please visit www . users . waitrose . com /~SilentCalls/

David

Originally posted by Cols
ANT are in trouble with Ofcom though for generating silent calls etc
Or as Ofcom put it ......

"Persistent misuse of electronic communications network(s) or service(s) "


...ofcom.org.uk/bulletins/comp_bull_index/comp_bull_ocases/open_all/cw_835/#content

Please see my posting at: .....sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?postid=523155#post523155

Quite an aggressive post and quite off topic as far as I am concerned

In no way am I defending ANT, or attempting to protect them in any way, but from my experience, the diallers in question were not actually being used, to my knowledge.

I worked in the "smile" department at Broomhill, doing a range of outbound campaigns. The number appeared on the screen and the caller had to physically press the number into the phone to call.
I understand from working with staff from Sheaf Quay that they had diallers, as they moaned that at Broomhill, you wasted a lot of time actually dialling the number in the first place.

I don't know how true it is, but when on a Market Research campaign, I was instructed that if anyone I called, claimed they'd sue the company for calling as they are on TPS, they can't, as Market research calls are supposed to be okay. :suspect:

No offence SCVictim, but is this affecting your life so much that you have said username, as well as promote a website thats dedicated to other silent call victims? Yes, it is an annoyance... But all you have to say is "I'm not interested, DO NOT call again"... :rolleyes:

Originally posted by caprice
Yes, it is an annoyance... But all you have to say is "I'm not interested, DO NOT call again"... :rolleyes:

The problem with a Silent Call is that one cannot say "Do not call again" because there is noone to speak to. One can only register with the Telephone Preference Service to prevent receiving any unsolicited marketing calls from any compliant organisation.

ANT was selected for inclusion in the current Ofcom investigation as a result of the number of Silent Calls traced. When the investigation is completed Ofcom may publish the actual numbers.

Many in the call centre industry fear that if the number of people registering with the TPS continues to grow at the present rate then a lot of jobs will be lost because outbound calling will not have sufficient legitimate targets.

I believe that one way of helping to slow this down is for all call centres to stop making Silent Calls. ANT is in the dock at present and Ofcom could choose to make an example of it. I hope that ANT will take this opportunity to step forward as an example of good practise by adopting the Informative Message where it uses diallers.

140,000 people are said to complain to BT about Silent Calls every month, that is why it is spending money on TV advertising to get people to register with the TPS. I am just one of those people. I have some time and energy to try and do something about it. I do not wish to see the compliant UK industry killed off so that all the work goes to rogue operators and overseas companies.

If anyone believes that jobs at ANT are not under threat, or has a better suggestion for how to stop the growth of the TPS it would be great to hear it. I hope this is relevant to the topic.

David

Slightly off topic, but still relevant...

How many calls have you been receiving SCVictim? (If you don't mind me asking...)

My Parent's get a lot of those where they connect you to a recording saying "You've won a holiday"... Then even if you put it down its still there... :rolleyes: What are they classed as?

Originally posted by caprice
Slightly off topic, but still relevant...

How many calls have you been receiving SCVictim? (If you don't mind me asking...)

My Parent's get a lot of those where they connect you to a recording saying "You've won a holiday"... Then even if you put it down its still there... :rolleyes: What are they classed as?

It doesn't matter how few or how many of these calls you get - they can be very disturbing if you don't know what they are.

I even caller IDd the number that was hassling me and mine 4 or 5 nights in a row, and on dialling it back it gave an out of order / no such number signal.

It eventually turned out it was my bank, trying to sell me stuff.

It's harrassment, pure and simple. If you're going to call have the decency to be there when the call is answered. I had a week of it, and it was getting VERY stressful.

Joe

Originally posted by caprice
Slightly off topic, but still relevant...

How many calls have you been receiving SCVictim? (If you don't mind me asking...)

The main reason for creating the web site was to keep postings such as this very brief - I will do my best here.

I complained to Ofcom in December 2003 with evidence of two Silent Calls from Kitchens Direct. This was supported by evidence from traces of calls to other people. Ofcom's investigation revealed that this company had made 1.5 million SIlent Calls in a three month period. It continues to make around 10,000 Silent Calls a day.

One of the other companies currently being investigated alongside ANT has admitted on the radio to making 30,000 Silent Calls a month.

Originally posted by caprice
My Parent's get a lot of those where they connect you to a recording saying "You've won a holiday"... Then even if you put it down its still there... :rolleyes: What are they classed as?

These recorded marketing messages, mostly from one group of companies in Florida, breach a quite different regulation that is nothing to do with Ofcom. Because they have no base in the UK or even the EU, the relevant regulator (the Information Commissioner) has no power to stop them. In this particular case there are efforts being made to do something under state laws in the US.

These are not Silent Calls. The "Informative Message" which would be used in place of the Silent Call simply performs the courtesy of saying who called when there is no agent available to deal with a dailler call that has been answered. It does not try to sell and therefore is not disallowed by the regulations.

There is more on the website.

I hope this helps.

David

Again - off topic but if you WILL insist on continuing this conversaton in the jobs section I believe that you keep insinuating Ant are guilty of an offence ?

Please refrain from this as at the moment it's merely an investigation.

I personally am insinuating nothing of the sort.

But, fair enough, if we can return to the subject, that will be good.

Joe

Hi people,
After spending two years in paris, I am returning (not very willingly) to sheffield to do my final year. Like most students, I'm looking to make a bit of pocket money. I understand that Ant are looking for foreign language speakers as well. Do they get better pay? Anyone do this type of work at Ant?

Hi there,

As a language speaker you would be invaluable in our international department.

Please contact Ant ASAP and we can arrange some information for you !

0114 2011345

who are all the people on the ant marketing 'look down' pic? I think i recognise a couple of them

images? link?
its difficult to say without seeing the image

sorry,

it was one of the banners which flashed up on SF in the top right, and the pix are all over the city.

I see - all I'm getting is Ruskins and jobs4sheffield :(

Originally posted by Internetowl
I see - all I'm getting is Ruskins and jobs4sheffield :(

You are doing something wrong then Internet owl Ant is coming up on my screen..........but I would need a bluddie magnifying glass to make out the faces :P

Given their turnover figures for staff, what's the betting none of them work their anymore?

If I worked at ant marketing then I wouldnt put myself on a big poster to advertise the fact. Just imagine all those people who are so fed up with all the nuisance calls that they're ready to punch someone out!! They wont be smiling then.. maybe they could bring out a second poster - a before and after poster.

I notice Anthony "Ant" Hinchliffe himself isn't there - wonder why?

Probably shoudnlt do this cos its a sponsor or paying advertiser or whateverer. But. Ant Marketing.

"opportunity to earn between 16-20k."

How about, "opportunity to be spoke to like sh*t, 2 mins 23 second crash training course, phone people who dont want things, earn next to nothing and not get paid for your troubles"

I think there may even be mention of a company pension in there somewhere.

I know these kinda posts have appeared again and again. But hey, if they were not true there would be a court case, no?

Im sure if you can blag and pressure people you will be fine. If however you are a half decent person you will most likely "fail".

my sister works in the broomhill branch part time and enjoys it enough, *shrug*

A mate of mine works there and he loves it too- makes ship loads of money!!

Originally posted by scottf
A mate of mine works there and he loves it too- makes ship loads of money!!

He's probably one of the "team Leaders" then as most people I've heard working here don't last long, hate the job and don't earn shi* loads of cash

i had friends who worked there as student - noone liked it, or earnt ship loads of money. my boyf stood it for 2 hours before walking out.

and it has to be questioned why they are alllllways looking for people....

e x

Just thought i would start a thread for anyone that wants to get a job quickly and probably wont be there long.

Ant Markerting - telesales jobs, phone up get an interview and probably start the next day decent enough pay.



more?....

I worked at Ant for 3 years, I was a old timer by there standards.

ant marketing are responsible for 30,000 silent calls a month according to radio 4.

Sounds like a plan I may have to follow up. :thumbsup:

do speakers of foreign languages get paid more????

Originally posted by pete_fcs
ant marketing are responsible for 30,000 silent calls a month according to radio 4.

It may not be ant but it feels like Most of those 30,000 were to my phone alone.

Some days, I'll get 5 or 6 dead line calls.


At first I thought it was ne'er do wells scoping out houses to rob - as this method has been used in the past.

How hard can it be to record an outgoing message saying

"Hi we called you, but there's no one to speak to you right now because our staff turnover is rather high.

If you wish to be removed from this telephone list please press 9 now.

If you wish to have the CEOs of this direct marketing firm drowned in a vat of their own excrement, press 1 now.

If you wish a pox upon all telemarketing firms please press 2 now. Or please hold and we will hang up on you."

I recently worked for a firm where we were call up people to sell our products. At the interview I was assured that there would be no cold calling, everyone I would call would be a hot contact. Low and behold when I started, I was calling people who had bought our products previously, but hadn't done so for about 4 years. We nicknamed this 'lukewarm' calling. We were encouraged to call them between 4pm - 7pm as that was when most people were home. My 'sales manager' was baffled why people that I called up weren't buying our products, I was like 'it's nearly 6pm, they are having their dinner after a long day at work, leave them alone!!'. I hate the word 'sales' and urge people just to not respond to these calls. Asked to be removed from the call list, if they call again take down details of who it is calling then report them. With Ant I appreciate that they are doing surveys etc but there must be more proactive ways to get a 'random sample'.

In my defence.
Up untill 2 years ago I had always done telesales & was well sought after in the industry as I am good at what I do. However I only did business to business. Never ringing people at home, even with Ant Marketing.
I would also like to point out many telesales companies have a high turnover of staff because they give the majority of people the chance of proving themselves. Most people who leave, leave by choice because they have been given a stepping stone by the companies.
So the next time you get a call just remember the person who is calling you is probably a student, someone nearing retirement or someone who is down on there luck & remember we all may need this kind of employment at sometime or have freinds or family that do.
No more money is given for foreign speakers, when I was there I was one of the highest paid without being management.

Ant always seem so desperate for staff - 3 times I went for an interview (don't ask me why - I don't know, maybe I was just desperate) and 3 times they offered me a job. I didn't take it, as something else (better) always came up.

I'd only go to Ant if I really needed to - like I say, I was kinda desperate at the time, but always managed to sort myself out. It seems like the last resort for a lot of people like myself (i.e. students)

I can assure you that Ant are not desperate for staff.

We have a huge number of clients and do the work so well that the majority of them wish us to expand our operations for them.

We have 5 sites at present and are looking to acquire further sites to accomodate the work being offered to us.

We are a hugely successful company and as such need staff to fulfill the work that we can bring in.

This does not mean that we lower our standards however - if someone can't do the job then the last thing we do is offer them one.

Things have changed a lot recently on the recruitment front and there is now a 4 stage process in place to ensure the right staff get through.

We will always offer jobs to suitable people or staff who would benefit our company and grow on the current success.

You have obviously been deemed as suitable in the past 3 times and as such have been offered.

Similarly an unsuitable candidate would have been knocked back 3 times.

Bottom line is we need suitable, intelligent and capable staff looking to further themselves and bring value to our business.

Does the company only ever recruit telesales staff? What about those with research, analysis and evaluation skills and experience, especially with, for example SPSS?

I guess Sheffielder would be the best one to answer your question as I guess he/she works there now.
I enjoyed working there for 3 years in appointments & left when they only had 1 site in 1994.
I found through working at ANT that I had a natural knack for Sales & now manager a site for a large company.
I only have GCSE's but am a reasonably intelligent person & I can thank ANT for giving me a career start.
From what I recall they give anyone a chance who passes there interviews no matter what qualifications, age or race they would then be put on a 3 months trial to find out if they are suitable.
While they do have a high turnover of staff (reasons already given) they also have many long standing & dedicated employees, who earn a decent salary.
I have seen grown intelligent men quiver & unable to do the work staff at ANT do.

Hi
Can anyone tell me what its like at Ant now. has it changed since some of the comments were made on these pages?

Reason im asking is i have applied to work there and am now wondering if its worth the toruble of taking it any further.

Cheers!!!!!!!!:loopy: :thumbsup:

Could any tell how much the hourly rate for working at Ant marketing would be for a 17 year old? I have also heard that the rate increases if you work more than 20 hours?


Thank you, Matthew

Minimum wage + commission.

However have a look at the ant marketing thread to see the problems people have had with not getting paid correctly - my housemate was underpaid by £80 one month, and Ant said that they would only pay her £20 of the amount as they had no record of her earning the commission.

[MOD NOTE] Threads merged

I have an interview at ANT marketing and am just wondering if anyone works or has worked for the company? What is it like? I dont want to jump from the frying pan into the fire if you know what I mean.

There are a few threads you can search for on this forum.

There is lots of criticism aimed at ANT, for various reasons, and staff turnover there is high.

Make what you will of that...

I know a few people who have worked there and they all hated it.

if you put "ant" AND "marketing" into the search site option of this website, there should be several threads relating to Ant Marketing

here's one have a read (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11839&highlight=Ant+AND+marketing)

Or the search could just bring up people selling ants.

Originally posted by kelly_owls
Or the search could just bring up people selling ants.

I'm sure their workers have as much individuality as ants :)

Good answer. I actually know someone who works there and I am trying to get a job there but they don't answer your emails and by the sound of things, they aren't a nice company to work for!

[MOD NOTE] Threads merged (again!) - Thanks for the link.

..........

My son worked there for a while at the one near the botanical gardens and hated every minute of it.

..........

What do ant do ?

It seems that Ant have some really pretty locations for their offices.

Yeah i know cos the botanical gardens one is very near where i live.
I just wish they would move somewhere else as their workers clog up our roads with their cars all day!:rant:


Come on Ant managers or chairmens whatever the person in charge is, relocate somewhere more appropriate!

I used to work there whilst looking for a "proper job".

I was **** hot with sales :thumbsup: and became a team leader after a while. The reason why people get promoted so easily / quickly is because the majority of people who work there are complete and utter clowns!!

It's an ok place to work if you get plenty of sales (you get treated like some sort of demi-god, I know I did). However the people who struggle with selling get a real hard time. It can be a real soul destroying place to work.

After a few months I used to call to the pub and sink a few pints before my shift, just to ease a bit of the pain... :(

Originally posted by SWFC00
the majority of people who work there are complete and utter clowns!!

However the people who struggle with selling get a real hard time. It can be a real soul destroying place to work.

Sounds like an exploitation of vulnerable people

i know why it sucks there, they will hire anyone, they dont care how you feel, as long as you make a sale, then when you leave they just get some teenager to replace you then he gets bored and they hire the next man.

Sounds like an exploitation vulnerable people

In a word, yes!

Some of the people I would train up could hardly speak English. Yet they were given the job, and then given a hard time when they struggled to make a sale. They could'nt even hold a conversation because of the language barrier :( It really was an upsetting place, when you saw how others were treated.

So what you are saying is ANT exploits and victimised ethnic minorities?

Nice company...but what can you really expect with people like Fattybear working there.

Ive worked at both broomhill and sheafqueys, broomhill is more relaxed more flexible shifts and the rooms are smaller, sheafqueys i hated it! the team leaders were about the same age as everyone else and didnt seem to help you very much. One of the girls i started with had a bad day (she only had got 1 sale) this was only the second week we were there an hour from finishing time they sacked her - all she needed was abit more training.

If they were more interested in training the staff on what they were selling and how to sell the product insted of throwing people on the phones am sure they would stay longer.

What do they make you try and sell?

when i was there i was selling the homecall line rentel and phone call charges but at sheaf queys there was also onetel and british gas. At broomhill i was selling subscriptions for economist magazine to people who had either not had it for a few years or hadnt yet re-subscribed and sometimes we would do this for other magazines

..........

but what can you really expect with people like Fattybear working there.

He was a sound bloke! Always got on well with him, big, big Wednesday fan :clap:

I have to defend my sister here though because she's FAR from being a clown

Of course. Just a genralisation! There were a fair few :loopy: there though.

when i was there i was selling the homecall line rentel and phone call charges

I sold the Homecall package. When did you work there f_g?

i sold homecall for a few months till about may but i started at broomhill last december just to get some xmas money. Am now working at a call centre which i enjoy decent pay and good benefits and its such a great change working with people who arnt telling you how depressing the job is every 2 secs.

ant marketing is not as bad as everyone keeps on saying. i work there at the moment and have done so for nearly 4 years, now if this place was that bad then surely i wouldnt still be here. as for the rate of pay its not commission based at all, you get your hourly rate which depending on what campaign you work on or what branch you work at the hourly rates vary and then the bonus on top, which if your good at doing your job then you should be coming out with a nice wedge at the end of the month. If you get on with your job and get the sales that you are supposed too then you have no reason to say such bad things about the place, i admit there are people that leave here but like someone else mentioned they find that the grass isnt always greener on the other side and ring up for their jobs back, now if ant marketing was that bad you wouldnt want to come back and have a second stab at it would ya? i think that the people who have a bad opinion about this place are the people who couldnt sell anything and got the hump on when the managers told them to buck their ideas up cus they wasnt selling, at the end of the day it is telsales which means you have to be able to sell things to people over the phone so if you cant sell to people dont go around saying the company is crap when in fact its them thats crap

Ant Marketing as a career is totally what you make of it.

If you join as a stop-gap to another job and don't put effort in then you can fully expect to hate every minute of it.

The environment is absolutely that of a team one and anyone not pulling their weight and just nipping in for a nice easy day and not trying to sell will not be patted on the back and congratulated.

For those who can sell and for those who put the effort in then it's probably one of the best companies you could join.

There are a minority of staff who join Ant Marketing and throw sickies, don't call in sick when they are off, don't put any effort in when they are in work and who don't sell.

They usually last anything between a week and a month.

The hardworking staff are rewarded hugely in a fast expanding and challenging job.

The money's there but if you're not hungry for it don't join Ant.

Hi everyone I work at ant at sheaf quays I have worked there for about a year now. Some of the posts are very true. If you are having a bad day then they come down on you liek a ton of bricks n in the end it just makes you feel rubbish. I have seen loads of people come and go, or just been sacked. the thing is they dont take in to consideration that people have bad days sometimes. The team leaders are all very young. When I first started working there last feb time it was brilliant it was a relaxed environment no hassle or pressure and was a laugh. Now it is all too serious the atmosphere is lacking very much n it is no fun no more and there is alot of pressure. Just thought I would put my view across as I work there . xxx

Hi there Crazy,

What department are you currently on ?

(pm me if you like)

Would be interested in your feedback

Ant could be an even better place to work.

I am very interested to know how those working at Ant regard the fact that it was recently subject to action by Ofcom because of the nuisance caused by the diallers making Silent Calls.

Many believe that anyone making a telephone call should always say who they are and why called if the call is answered. If necessary, this can be done by using waht is known as an Informative Message.

Making Silent Calls, or any other activity that shows telemarketing in a bad light, makes it more difficult to gain a positive response, as well as reducing the size of the available market through TPS registrations.

Are all the staff involved in outbound operations at Ant pressing for the company to help the reputation of the company, all its staff and its clients by adopting use of the Informative Message on all abandoned calls?

Taking a lead with this would not only help staff take pride in the company, it would also help in winning business as all competitors will eventually be forced to follow. Furthermore, it will also demonstrate how a UK call centre can beat foreign competition by offering better quality.

As a true leader in the field, Ant could be an even better place to work.

David

You've posted this over and over David.

I have no doubt that Ant Marketing have found a loophole within the law for this - but I still think that it is pretty disgusting!

My boyfriend has recently started work full time at Ant Marketing in Broomhill -he has done a weeks work and apparently Ant no longer pay for the first weeks work that employees complete - but my boyfriend was not made aware of this until after his first week of work.

So, not only has he done a week's work free (for the coporate slave drivers that everyone knows and accepts are ANT), but also did overtime on the belief that he would be paid for it. Indeed when he was offered overtime it was suggested that it was very uncomon to offer overtime to new starters (obviously not if they are getting them to do it for free - one would guess!).

Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar expereince with ANT? I now live in London - but did my obligatory 6 month stint at ANT as a student - so know what it was like when I worked there - but I just have to highlight this as beign a particularly bad example of employment practice.

And a warning to anyone else before they start at ANT....

And if anyone who works at ANT (I know that there are a few people out there!)can come back to me and explain why this is - would be appreciated!

ANT marketing doesnt seem very popular at all

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11839&page=13

Mod: Threads merged

No doubt that ANT is extremley unpopular!

But I'm just wondering if anyone has an answer of how/if ANT are allowed to do this? And more so, how ANT can defend employing staff and failing to tell them until they have worked their first week that they will recieve no payment for their first week of work?

Whenever there is a negative post about ANT - normally someone leaps to their defence, saying staff who complain/leave are really bad at the job/not destined for telesales etc, etc. Seems to be a lack of response to this query from ANT's side....maybe because there is no defense!!!!

Are the Porsche's that I see round Sheffield with the plates ANT 1 & ANT 4 anything to do with this company.
Just curious, that's all.
Yeh, ANT 1, if not too obvious is the owner MD Mr ANThony Hinchliffe, lurvly man!@*?!
ANT 4, ok bloke!
I too worked there it seems to me thick as thieves gets you through it in that place - the good people come and the good people soon go, good luck to all the good people that got up n gone.
Only capitalist pigs survive the world of ANT!!

Ant marketing would of paid your boyfriend for the first week why wouldnt they, they dont expect you to work for free, he probably didnt tell you he got paid so he didnt hasve to buy you owt with the money ha ha. only joking dont get ya knickers in a knot :D

Pretty sure that they aren't going to pay him...considering first pay check isn't until the end of February and he started mid January. As a general rule in my experience I haven't come across many employers who pay you for a month and a half work. Have you? And having spoken to his colleagues there they have all been in the same boat.

I believe Ant have found a loophole - which is that if it states within your contract that you will have an unpaid training period, then they can legally not pay you. So undoubtedly this is the case.

However, Ant don't seem to issue employers with a contract until their first pay packet - so it is not something that employees would not be aware of when they commence employment, and subsequently work for free. (After asking, my boyfriend has been told he will not be given a contract until his first February pay packet - this again is legal as companies have two months to issue employers with a contract). This would not be a problem if ANT informed staff that they were entering an unpaid training period. But the problem is that they don't. So people take employment there in good faith that they will be paid and then aren't.

Im not an expert on employment law (though I have a relative who works in employment law) - but if anyone has a greater understanding and thinks I have misunderstood, your clarification on the situation will be appreciated.

What I was looking from was a response from somebody in ANT (I have seen so many before!), to explain how they can justify using underhand methods (underhand, as the situation is not made explicit to new employees. As mentioned from my understanding, what they are doing is legal, although undoubtedly not so ethical).

I would disagree that it is something not to get concerned about. ANT has a high turnover of staff - and because of the demands upon the company to hit research targets, there is always an availability of jobs. Because of this known availibilty of jobs, they can employ some of the most vulnerable people on the job market, those who are desperate for work to make ends meet and have no choice. And to me such employment practices as stated above are completely explotative.

Im thinking of applying at ant....really need a job....i'll take all these warnings with me though if i do venture!

Hi Everyone, I worked at Sheaf Quays on the ACE campaign and had a great time. I worked for a guy called Paul who was always good to the staff and did all he could for us. The campaign was hard and challenging, but I was up for it and did ok. Not sure if he still works there? I would consider going back if he was. I did hear rumblings though that not everyone was treated as well as the ACE staff, and would often hear what was going on in other departments and be horrified, and can imagine the negative things mentioned on these threads happening. I'm sorry to sit on the fence, but my experience was good with the ACE campaign.

Steph

Hi Steph I may no you I have worked for ACE for nearly a year now nope im afraid paul has left now :-( so has John and Brian xxxx

ANT's payroll run is from the 20th to the 20th - and staff are paid on the last day of the month.

Ant Marketing DOES pay for your first week - and any suggestions otherwise are just mischievous and incorrect

Hi Crazy. That's a shame, what is it like on the there now? Where did Paul go? Where did Brian and John go? Reading some of the threads on this website it seems that Sheaf Quay has changed quite a lot since I was there. It seems a shame that the company is like that as it has obviously got good people within the ranks, as they do on the phones. Does this probably mean that the managers don't stick around as they get abuse too from their management? It's common knowledge that staff leave, but do good managers leave because they disagree with their managers decisions?

Hi Sheffielder

If I am correct you work at Ant (though I am not 100 per cent sure of your role)? Your previous posts have suggested this much.

Considering you comment that Ant's payroll runs from the 20th to the 20th of each month and pay on the last day of the month, would be grateful if you could explain the following:

My boyfriend started work before the 20th January. So I would be correct in thinking that he will be getting paid tomorrow (31st January) for the 5 days work he completed before the 20th? However, he has been informed at work that his first pay packet will not be until the end of February, with his contract. (I guess we can safely assume they meant the 20th February?)

So if he dosen't get paid tomorrow...where is his first week's pay gone? To me that would suggest that they are NOT paying him for it. I don't think that there are many ways that people can misunderstand their employers when they inform them they will not be paid until February.

I will post back to let you know the outcome tomorrow. However, if you can cast any further light on this your help would be appreciated - as you seem to be the person with the insider knowledge on ANT. Are you in a position to be able to assist with any dubious outcomes from situations such as above, or is that outside the remit of your particular role within ANT? Please pm me if you would prefer.

Thanks

Hi Liz, the way i understood ants payroll is.... the payment period is 21st to the 20th of the month. You get paid on the last working day of the month. If you work less than 15 hours in your fisrt month of employment. I.e between the 21st and 20th, then ant won't pay you. These hours will appear in next months pay packt. If you do work over the 15 hours, then you will get paid that month.

clear as mud!!!

Thanks Stephie - that was much clearer! However, as a full time employee, then he would have worked more than 15 hours before the 20th (5 days at 36/7 hours), hence should be being paid tomorrow? I remember the 15 hour rule from when I was employed there - but I was only part time...as a full time employee that dosen't quite work.

But thanks for the help anyway.

Liz

Hi Liz, he should get paid then! Let me know if he does?

Hi there,

Let me know if the payment was made - I'll chase it up for you if not.

Should be fine though.

MOD: Please refrain from posting people's names on this thread. Do try and keep comments this side of legal and non-personal. Thanks.

My one and only post appears to have been removed, why?

Does anyone have experience of being a client of Ant? I've been considering using them for a campaign for a while. I'm not so sure after reading this thread. Will be interesting to hear any experiences.

Harriet,

Try looking for bar work, is usually the easiest to get.

Good luck

An interesting discussion and certainly one that has helped me make some serious decisions about working for Ant Marketing. I have an interview tomorrow morning 11:00am at Sheaf Quay.

Its interesting that this thread was started by HarrietStar with the title of “Ant Marketing – opinions”, which suggests that she was interested in working for Ant before posting. She went on to post that she had not actually found a position with Ant, or anybody else for that matter, so the post could of easily have read “Tescos – opinions?”

Also interesting that she seems indifferent about the company before and after posting here and then being shown this thread by Ant although she still enjoys working there, albeit until she finds something better.

Other posters have commented on how friends of friends have found the work hard, the conditions unacceptable, and the management unresponsive. My heart should bleed, but it doesn’t. My response to that is that they do not know what hard work is. In fact there is no hard work for those who want to work hard, we just call it “work”.

So, your friend, or your friend of a friend, or even yourself cannot grasp the simple truth that people are in business to make money, and people have to work (hard) to earn a living whilst the “management” sit on their backsides doing nothing bothers you. Welcome to the real world. Truth is, if they were sat on their backsides you would not have a job to complain about and I would not have an interview tomorrow.

So thank you for the posts. I am confident now that if I do get the job at Ant that I will do well, not because I am some super sales guru but because I know how to work hard.

Wish me luck.

Brilliant post - well said mate

Update !

Just heard from Ant that I got the job and start Monday - after being knocked back for work in my profession (13 years in IT) several times over the past few months its a relief to hear some thing positive and not the usual crap about me being over qualified or that I might be bored.

Looking forward to working for them and looking forward to starting my new career !

Also looking forward, along with my family, to moving to Sheffield (from Bradford) in the next few months as well and today brought us one more step closer ;)

What department are you working in mate ?

Not 100% sure until Monday Sheffielder but it looks like I'm starting on the AIG campaign. Yourself ?

Not 100% sure until Monday Sheffielder but it looks like I'm starting on the AIG campaign. Yourself ?


That's good news mate - Ant will do well with someone like yourself hungry and motivated.

AIG campaign is excellent - and even better now they are announcing their sponsorship of Manchester United !!

P.S To Neil Toohey - no disrespect but why would someone want to work for an agency and get 25% of their salary taken away from them and given to you ?

best of luck with everything.

Not 100% sure until Monday Sheffielder but it looks like I'm starting on the AIG campaign. Yourself ?

As per my other posts. I think the coverage of ANT is really quite weighted in favour of poor, but if you work hard then you get the rewards. This will happen in any job. With respect to managment, it varies from campaign to campaign. I had a good manager when working at Sheaf called Paul on the ACE campaign, but heard horror stories from the middle floor where it was run by a bald headed guy, who didn't seem to know what he was doing. What i'm trying to saying is that it varies from campaign to campaign. I was one of the lucky ones! I left ANT last year, and have never looked back and the experience really did help me in what i'm doing now. I hear that Paul and other managers have now left the business, so the question should be why do they leave, and the not so good managers stay? Also, I understand that AIG is an insurance product, and ACE is an insurance product! Is ACE still there, as surely this is a conflict of interest between ACE and AIG!?!?!?

As per my other posts. I think the coverage of ANT is really quite weighted in favour of poor, but if you work hard then you get the rewards. This will happen in any job. With respect to managment, it varies from campaign to campaign. I had a good manager when working at Sheaf called Paul on the ACE campaign, but heard horror stories from the middle floor where it was run by a bald headed guy, who didn't seem to know what he was doing. What i'm trying to saying is that it varies from campaign to campaign. I was one of the lucky ones! I left ANT last year, and have never looked back and the experience really did help me in what i'm doing now. I hear that Paul and other managers have now left the business, so the question should be why do they leave, and the not so good managers stay? Also, I understand that AIG is an insurance product, and ACE is an insurance product! Is ACE still there, as surely this is a conflict of interest between ACE and AIG!?!?!?
Good luck though Mod One, you have the right attitude

Do I have the right attitude? maybe I do but then maybe I dont !

I'll sort out the don't first :)

Working class background so never got the chance to go to Uni as my parents thought that it was a waste of time. Started working life in Quality Control (only achieved 9 O levels) and progressed into Industrial Engineering (Time and Work Study) achieving high grades in all areas.

Moved into IT (my true calling) and worked my way up from engineer to consultant to the government in little over a decade.

And that is where it stops.

After leaving my consultancy job I am now too qualified to do any further work in IT it seems, and to be honest I don't want to have to do work for people who simply cannot be arsed to turn up for work and do the job in hand !

Now I'll sort out the do'es :)

My main Do has to be my wife and 3 kids. They deserve something better than me wasting my time on the JSA waiting for idiots to decide out fate.

My next Do is my own peace of mind. Not only do I get to put some food on the table I get a chance to work, to prove myself, to earn my coin.

My last Do and this is the hardest one of all is that I get to learn about, and test my might, in a business that it new to me. I chomp at the bit, I relish the oppertunity, I can't wait !

Will it all go to ****? Nah, I work too ****ing hard for that to happen :D

OK,
First week (in training) at Ant so I thought I should report back :)

The training was very good in my opinion. We were a mixed bunch to say the least but (Chris) the trainer did his upmost to accommodate us for the 3 days. Out of the 6 of us 1 guy fell asleep on the second day and didnt turn up for the third and another guy thought he knew it all anyway and decided he should "train the trainer" which annoyed me no end but it also made me realise the problem some of the people who go to work for Ant, and the problem is they simply do not listen !

Swipecards ! On the first day we were issued with swipe cards and informed that payroll department uses the information gathered from these card entrys to pay wages, how many of us took notice?

Well at least 2 guys thought it was beyond them to walk to the card reader to register their hours and one had lost his card by day 3 :rolleyes:

Attitude ! not so much in training (save for Mr Been-there-seen-it-done-it) but on the floor I found people who simply could not give a toss about the work, the company and more importantly the customers ? WTFIATA !

I'll be on the floor Tuesday and I know for a fact that if I put just 10% effort in I will be better than the idiots who start at Ant for a laugh. If I put 50% effort in I might be on a par with those who are working at Ant until something better comes along. If I put 99% effort in I reckon I just found myself a decent job with good money and long term prospects.

What about the 1% ?

Well, I am a bit of a bad boy and nobodys perfect :wave:

Good update mate - thanks for that one !!

Interesting you talk about people on the floor who couldn't care less about the job - I would have thought you would have seen people who work hard given the money that's available to them ?

The bonus should drive staff hard to hit sales surely ?

Did they say why they weren't bothered ?

Maybe, when you know what makes them really tick then they'll be bothered. People are different. Give a smile and they'll do whatever it takes for that smile. GIving them encouragement and they'll go the extra mile.

Everybody thinks bonuses will move someone. It didn't for me in all I use to do in my business until, someone gave me a word of encouragement, smiled, and man did I move the business and did whatever it took.

Leaders, managers, sometimes damage the work that could happen by their ego, by playing mind games, by shaking someone's hand and not looking at them straight in the eyes or by just acting clever and trying to look like a leader.

Depends on the person but a leader should know the profile of his worker or customer so he can influence them to do what he or she wants them to do. That's what leadership is about. Not authority which is "telling someone what to do."

On reflection it was harsh for me to say that some of the guys did not give a toss about the work. The reason I posted that comment needs to be more constructive and put into context as I am aware that my posts are my own personal opinion.

On the whole I found the guys at Ant to be very friendly, very accommodating and more importantly very positive. This may seem like I am spouting the company line (now I work for them) as given but that is far from the truth. I would not put the hopes and dreams of my family on the back of a company who wants to here one day and gone the next.

So, about those guys who I thought did not give a toss about the work then. Maybe its just me, maybe its because I have worked for companies and have seen it happen too many times, maybe its because if it was my company I would want to know WHY? I should employ someone who does not care for the company !

The Basic at Ant is enough to see the average family comfortable. The bonus is, well, a bonus. From the very first day I was looking for the catch and I still wait for the phone call or piece of paper that trashes the deal but it has yet to appear?

On top of that I get £x for every sale I make. Thats extra cash for doing the job they have employed me to do? How can this be I wondered?

Well, in my mind. Ant very generously pays the wages. AIG (my campaign) pays Ant to pay the wages and in return AIG recieves the business. The customer pays for the business and everyone wins. However if the guys (like me) at Ant don't do too well at selling the business for AIG there will be no generouse basic pay and no generouse bonus in the future because we will have no clients !

When you put your back behind the people you work for you push them forward. When you turn your back against them you push yourself backwards

John.

Thanks John - good stuff and it seems you look happy in your new position !

Looking at the bonus - would it be enough (cashwise) to tempt you to push harder for a sale or are there other motivating factors involved ?

Interesting question Sheffielder :)

I think that if I use the bonus as my motivation to push for a sale then I would be doing the customer and the company a diservice. I feel that at the end of the day I should have worked hard enough to earn my coin, I should have pulled my weight with the rest of the team to achieve targets and I should be professional enough to take care of business.

Email this lady.....she's great at getting you work!

zoe.maughan@linsco.com

Linsco are a massive agency and Zoe's the best!

.......................................

Update - Week 4 !

Sales !
To be fair the job is everything I expected and more ! its hard, its demanding and above all its challenging. Its not challenging in the cerbral context, although there is a fair amount of brain work involved its more challenging in the way you put yourself across to your customers, your colleagues and yourself. The customers being the hardest ;)

Hard week this week - not just for me but for everyone. Yes we would have all liked to have achieved target but for most of us it just did not happen as hard as we tried.

Our britches will be down Monday morning and that is to be expected, we are after all here to sell a product and if we can not do that (however hard that task may be) there will be no product to sell.

F3ck3d off already ? far from it.

So we had a bad week, so what ! it happens. Plenty of advice, encouragement, training and humour to be found on the floor if you look for it !

Is it going to be the same next week? is it f3ck - too many good people pulling together to make sure we will succeed ;)

woop woop 1st post..

just giving my 2cent.

Ive been working for ANT (Chesterfield) for 6 months now. tomorrow is my last day there as im moving on to better things thanks to the experiance that ANT gave me.

1st yes the job can be mind numbing you do the same thing day in and day out. BUT its easy you sit in a air-conditiond office drinking coffee and speaking on the phone. its easy money for nothing really. the Bonus is obtainable most of the time untin a campaign comes to an end. in my first week i cam back will £100 just in bonus.

The People where I worked are great, The Team Leaders Quality and managers where great to work with, friendly and helpful, both once did my job and so know whats its like.

you can also work towards NVQ's and Health and Safety Qualifications

My Pay has all ways been right as ive looked after my swipe card.


Basicaly if you need a job just call,
Ive enjoyed my time there and will be sad to leave the friends live made

James

I did apply for a position with Ant marketing against all the stick they have been getting, Only to have been turned down due to the fact that I have my arm in a cast due to a broken wrist............ERRR hello I can still type and managed to pass a data entry test with a recruitment agency...I am over qualified for the position but it was only for ten weeks..I can't honnestly understand what is wrong with them.....Then they said that they would give me a ring when my cast is off.....What the hell....like im going to say yes after the way you've been..............AMATEURS

ANT's payroll run is from the 20th to the 20th - and staff are paid on the last day of the month.

Ant Marketing DOES pay for your first week - and any suggestions otherwise are just mischievous and incorrect

Although it may be reduced rate for first few days while the 5 day training is completed, and if you leave in the first 72 hours or something you don't get paid.

I cant remember the exact details but on AIG campaign thats how it was, worked on admin side.

They now have a website

http://www.antrecruitment.co.uk

They now have a website

http://www.antrecruitment.co.uk

What a bad website!!!?

Who designed this!? Are the circle's bubbles!? It's just poor!

I was just posting the link that's all ?

And what does that have to do with it! That's myspace, not a business website. It's a bit of fun!!! If you know me, then get back in touch? I don't really dislike anyone, so I must like you!

I used to work at ANT and I would advise that this website doesn't give the business a professional look. Neil Hargreaves did a far better effort, which was taken down for some reason or another! Do you know what happened to that site!?

ANT is a good place to work, it's hard work, and yes it lacks in some areas, but altogther it's on a par with most work places.

I'm afraid I couldn't disagree more about ANT, however i couldn't agree more about Neil, that guy was a gem, much respect for him !

I don't understand why people give ant marketing such a slating. I worked there for months and it was fine, I just don't think people give it a chance and lump it in with all the grotty call centres.

I'm not trying to say it's for everyone, some people just aren't cut out for that sort of work and that's fine...it's really annoying though that some people would only come in for a couple of days and then leave before they've really given it a fair go and got the hang of what they're trying to do.

I don't know if that's better or worse than the people who are there for a while but don't really get on with that sort of work but instead of admitting it's one of those things they're not that good at go off and give the place a hammering on the forums.

I say if you need a bit of cash and don't mind if people aren't always interested in what you're trying to sell them then give it a fair go.

I was there for 7 months and worked my tits off, even when the new systems were brought in place and we were given 0 training then shouted at by certain members of management and the client when it went wrong, well if you implement new system that you get free, then throw it in with no real testing (i dont count a few days testing) thats what you get.

I now work in a professional place, there is proper training, new systems are tried and tested for a year, if something goes wrong they help you fix it.

I have seen Ant advertising in other threads for staff and am curious to know what it's really like as it appears that there are some real horror stories about them not paying correctly, letting staff go and just taking anyone on who applies ?

When I worked there they kept me in a cage and only let me out on thursday evenings.

I'm currently looking for a telesales job to start in the next few weeks.

A couple of friends of mine have just left Ant and are scaring me with a huge amount of issues that they had with Ant including being squashed onto a desk and having to sit with their legs open because a table leg was right in front of their chair ?