Telephone Job Manners?

Question

I just got hired to work a job as a telemarketer who collects donations for the ARC office. Which stands for The Association Of Retarded Citizens. I haven't started yet and I'm nervous because I think people are going to get offended if I say the word retarded. But the boss said that all scripts had to be approved by the law. And that if we stray from the script we can be fined and he can be fined. I'm not sure what to do because I don't want to stray from the script and be fined but I really don't know how comfortable everyone is going to be with me saying the word r****d.

Answer 1

Lol that has a habit of making an awkward pause in the middle of a phone conversation.  

Answer 2

Well, good luck to you.  Someone close to me has an autistic child, and gets very upset of you say that child is retarded.

I hang up on telemarketers, no matter what they're hawking.

Answer 3

Just stick with the script. I know that Tropic Thunder has been getting some flack but seriously a lot of people aren't that sensitive to the word r****d. Plus you're not making fun of anyone you're asking for money to help. Big difference.

Answer 4

Most of the people in that particular call file will already be previous supporters of the organization, having sent donations in or volunteered in some other way. Of course, there are always gonna be people who pick on you, but they will train you how to deal with it. It's a hard, demeaning job, because everyone thinks telemarketers are the antichrist, and they will constantly cuss and hang up on you. It is the law that you have to follow the scripts. They will have a line like "Sir/Madam, that is the name of the organization, I'm sorry if it offends you" that you will say if someone says anything. But practice makes perfect and you will get better at it. I used to call for donations, and take orders for all those crappy fake tv churches, and I always felt bad when little old ladies were calling in and spending a month's worth of SSI to order a gold leafed bible. But it's their life, and most will be understanding. Good luck!  

Answer 5

If your soon to be boss said that it's okay to say that word and its approved by the law...by all means go by the script. All of us get the nervous feeling when were starting a new job....Good Luck!

Answer 6

As long as you don't say the word retarded in a derogatory way there should be no offense taken. Stay with the script I am sure the lawyers did the research to find the most PC way to talk to people.