Additions to this page last occurred: Friday, 13 February 2004
This letter came to me via email since I had listed TEKSystems on my resume last year. The person asked not to be identified either by name nor email address since she felt that some people would regard this article as being vindictive and vengeful instead of informative. She stated that she wanted to move on and by sharing this information with others, this will enable her to move on.
Read the editors note.
I realize that I am putting myself on the line with this article. This may cost me future jobs with other employers. If that is the case, then this would tell me that I do not want to work for them, either.
Due to several emails and one phone call, I chose to highlight the problem areas and give further explanation since it seems that my points are not clear. Look for the BOLD text below (excluding the years).
This is the story of my experience with Aerotek's TEKSystems Division. Somehow, I don't think this will make the Customer Letters page on the TEKSystems website.
I'm sure that if you call TEKSystems (the home office) they would say I'm just a disgruntled employee with an attitude problem. And, many of you seem to agree, stating that I'm being "vindictive" and "hateful."
From the beginning...
One thing that I did not mention before is that I was told by several employees that TEKSystems was franchised (which as of August 15, 2000, Sandra Lee from an office in the 818 area code tells me is not the case). This means if you have a bad experience at one franchise office, you may not necessarily have one at another office (think about your next trip to McDonald's). I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Notice I did not say business since business is an in-animate object for people to hide behind and place blame as needed.
I just have to wonder how those of you who accuse of being "vindictive" and "hateful" would react in a similar situation. Before you say, I would just leave and go and somewhere else. Be sure to read what happened when I applied somewhere else.
Something about paying someone below market value, offering no benefits that are comparable to any other employer, and offering no training that the employee can afford or attend because of job "responsibilities" would probably make someone a little disgruntled.
Also, talking when that employee is talking to you is not a good sign especially when that employee is willing to overlook the last three (3) years of not being taken care of. The person I'm referring to here is Marcus Riley of the Austin, Texas TEKSystems Office. This act of not listening and interrupting occurred on Monday, August 6, 2000 at 2:15 PM CST.
Let's tell the story as it happens and let you decide. And, of course, I know there are three (3) sides to every story; their side, my side, and the truth. I will mirror the truth side as much as possible.
1996
The story begins in 1996 in Dallas (Irving), Texas. I applied and received a job with Aerotek (home of the current Teksystems), working with a high profile client at the time, CompUSA. I began at $13.00 hourly in Garland Store. I was there on a six (6) week contract. After that assignment (less than a week), I was asked to work at the Euhless location of CompUSA and received a $2.00 an hour salary increase. This means that I made $15.00 an hour.
Some of the skills used and obtained include upgrading to Windows 95, installing fresh copies of Windows 95 and Windows NT, installing Office 95, upgrading hardware components such as hard drives, video cards, and memory, and making recommendations on which components to buy for an existing system.
Later in the summer, I moved to San Diego, California where with Aerotek, I was sent to Roger Wagner Publishing in El Cajon to do phone support on a current release of their product which mainly was sold to educational institutions. However, while San Diego is about 20% higher in the cost of living than Dallas (in 1996), I actually received $14.00 hourly. This was probably the point I should have negotiated for $17.00 hourly and some benefits but I digress.
1997
After moving to Las Vegas in late 1996, I found that TEKSystems now contained the IT contractors from Aerotek. I was sent to work at Albertson's on West Charleston Boulevard for $12.00 hourly on a night shift (do we notice a Salary pattern here in relation to skill level). My main contribution was upgrading OS/2 1.2 to OS/2 2.11 for their cash registers. My next assignment was at Sprint on Decatur Boulevard. Here, I used the skills from my 1996 assignment and the assignment at Albertson's. My pay rate at Sprint, $10.00 hourly (and still no benefits). The kicker is that Sprint was being billed $25.00 hourly for my services (wonderful friend in Accounting). I truly think that it did not cost TEKSystems $15.00 hourly to administrate me.
Upset with the lack of benefits, fruitful assignments, I chose to work at UPS in Customer Service (a 6 month project) through Norrell.
1998
Returning to California, specifically, the Los Angeles area, I again worked for TEKSystems at MedPartners (then owner of Friendly Hills, Talbert, and host of other HMO's) at the Help Desk using Windows NT, OS/2, and PC Assembly skills attained from other assignments. My pay rate here was $13.50 hourly. Yes, this is an increase but it is now three (3) plus years later and I'm making less in a higher market.
Again, upset with the compensation package, I left TEKSystems to work for Mastech in Sunnyvale, California (in the heart of the Silicon Valley).
1999
I truly thought the third time would be a charm with TEKSystems (again giving people benefit of the doubt). I worked through the South San Francisco office and obtained a position at the McCutchen, Doyle, Brown and Enerson Help Desk where I would work after hours and weekends. My pay rate was $17.00 hourly. I found out that other contractors were making $19.00 hourly and had been increased to $21.00 hourly. These were employees whom worked Monday through Friday. I worked nights AND WEEKENDS (6 days a week). While this is still below market for Help Desk in any city (such as Austin, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, and San Francisco), I felt asking for $21.00 hourly was not unreasonable since I had over three (3) years experience in the field and I worked nights and weekends. They disagreed.
I returned to Austin in September after turning down a permanent position with the firm. That was a hard thing to do since I really liked the crew at McCutchen.
One of the reasons for the return to Austin was to pursue my MCSE and MCSDba.
Visiting the Austin TEKSystems office, I was told there were no positions available for my skill set as listed on my resume. But, I hear in the News Media that there is such a shortage of experienced IT help that they are considering doubling the number of VISAs to get into the country. Now, the salary will fall and the available jobs will fall with it.
With regard to TEKSystems, again, giving people the benefit of the doubt (and still under the impression that they are franchised).
2000
A new millenium and new ideas and hopefully, new work experiences. Somehow, I thought TEKSystems would pull through and surprise me. I even worked to help them to market me by obtaining my MCSE (June 29, 2000), which I paid for.
I visited the office today (Monday, August 6, 2000 at 2:15 PM CST) and spoke with Marcus Riley. I was told that expecting a pay rate in the mid 50's was unreasonable for a System Administrator (see what other parts of the country and state of Texas pay, this according to Microsoft).
So, I present to you a company that has taken advantage of many employees, many of which who have been lucky enough to escape the control and poor treatment. I, too, hope to escape this.
Many of you ask why did I come back.
In summary, I know this will jeopardize my chances with some companies. This is good since this tells us that they would probably pull the same stunts as TEKSystems still does. I have talked with many in the industry and unfortunately, employees of TEKSystems are NOT highly regarded. I think this has been a stumbling block.
I did find out, through two (2) friends who are HR Recruiters, that TEKSystems had given me a bad performance review but could not ascertain as to why I was sent to CBS after Sprint, and McCutchen after Medpartners. I had the first friend check after my assignment at Sprint in Las Vegas (1997) and a second checked from MedPartners (1998).
Why would you send an employee with a poor work history to high profile clients? No one has been able to answer this. My guess is that if only they can give me assignments since no other agency would employee me, they have control. It eats at your self-esteem. You begin to doubt your skill sets and viability and are forced to take assignments if you expect to survive in this economy (unless you win the lottery).
Why would you charge 150% over what you are paying your employee. Notice I did not say this was "unfair" or "uncommon."
How stupid do they think I am? I challenge you to look in any market for the Salary of a System Administrator.
I'll be frank.
Compensate your employees correctly (whether via training, bonuses, salary, benefit, etc) and take care of your employees and you will not find anyone more devoted into helping YOUR company succeed.
And remember, we are not born with experience, we earn it. How do we earn it? We earn it by working. I keep wondering if my four + years experience before obtaining my MCSE was invalidated by the very certification (MCSE) which I got to enhance the experience. Though, one may not have the title doesn't mean that one does not have the experience. I think we all know how people (employers) imply that we may not get a raise or promotion or would be removed from the position if we do not finish this task (which is usually done by someone with a different title and different payscale). I'm sure this statement is dismissed as bitterness.
Isn't that interesting?
If you have questions or comments, please drop me a line at [email protected].
Editors note: This person asked to not have her name posted since as he stated above, it might be a factor in whether he gets an interview or a call concerning a job. I wish her the very best of luck.
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