Complaint Review: Empire Chicago Inc.

Well, how shall I start a full detailed explanation about what Empire Chicago Inc in Lombard, Illinois is really all about. 

It began with my resume posted on CareerBuilder.com and a few days later a woman named Victoria from Empire Chicago called me saying that she has reviewed my resume and is interested in scheduling an interview with I and the Assistant Manager, nevertheless she explained how Empire Chicago "Handles accounts for our Fortune 500 accounts based in Houston, TX." -Exact words remembered from months ago. I proceeded to go in for an interview and I felt a sketchy vibe because not only were there about 10 people in the lobby waiting for an interview which made it seem like a cattle pull for new hires, but also the lady "Vika" as they all call her looks like a Barbie with a failed plastic surgery. Her lips look like they are inflated from a hard sucker punch to the lips, her face looks like she's had several facelifts and nosejobs, and her breasts looked like double D's on a 100lb, 5'7 girl. Very disgusted, later to find out shes a part time stripper and cam girl... But that didn't bother me, I was in need of a job which sounded promising, but later during employment began to tilt. 

I was interviewed by the "Assistant Manager" whose name was Emilio, which was only 2 years older than me (I was 17, he was 19 at the time), and asked me basic questions in why I want this job, and what are my characteristics. This is where I completed interview #1 and was asked to proceed to interview #2, which would be a lunch and an interview.

Upon the 2nd interview, Emilo had brought me in his car to Potbelly's where he had not offered me anything to eat, but brought me straight to the back of the dining area to interview me, 1; that's loitering, and 2; who does that? Take you somewhere for lunch but no offer?

Anyway, I got the job and began their "Training" (That they only pay you $100 for mind you)  on the next day, and it was a totally different reality to what they said it would be. They began with their infamous Spark campaign, played a few mind games and pitch rehearsals. I felt like that one teal room was an office circus. I was also unaware that "going into the field" meant get your Spark polo on and go out in the scortching hot weather door to door in residential areas, some in very bad neighborhoods i.e. Joliet, Englewood Chicago, Harvey & Robbins. I also was told it was salary based pay until I found out everything is 100% commission based pay, and you need to hit "bells" at least once a week to avoid getting humiliated by the a**hole of a manager Mark and also being put in the hot seat.

ALSO, know that they basically expect you to already have a car upon employment so you can drive out (NOT REIMBURSED FOR FUEL COSTS) to your specified "T" in specific areas of towns, to do the door to door agenda and walk around with a binder with a script. If someone has the stupidity to answer their door to an idiot like me, and buy whatever i tell them that its a green energy update and that it will save them money on their ComEd/People's Gas/Nicor bills. In reality, you're not; it may be a fixed rate but the fluctuating rate is still less expensive regardless, and also; if one of the customers you transitioned to Spark decide to cancel prior to contract end date, you get backcharged based on how many months they were active in service. Regardless, Mark is still making money off you anyway, you get $30 per single utility and $60 for dual fuel, and Mark makes 200% of what you earned as a consultant comission. So not only do you bust your a*s for $30, you also make your boss richer.

They also teach you leadership skills and frequently remind you about Jones effect that if you lie and say their neighbors have it they will follow along and sign up as well. I even got promoted to Team Leader but decided to quit after working there for 3 months because it was just too much. For the money that I made here a significant amount of it had to go towards fuel, and it was beyond full time hours time frame, 10 hours a day 5 days a week and 6 hours on a Saturday. And this one woman Margaret always talks about oppurtunity and potential in her speeches during the morning circus... Well, what oppurtunity is there really if you don't get paid steadily and get benefits but have to be a good liar to people in order to get a paycheck? I don't get it and never will, never again will I fall for such an unreliable job. I'm better off working at a warehouse and getting paid steadily and overtime whereas at Empire you need to hustle and bustle to get only pennies. Save your time, stay away.