Pros
The environment was light and employees were pleasant. Great training for going door to door. Great for getting in shape.
Cons
Management was pleasant and, pretended to be your best friend but, still does whatever they can to get employees fired. They began issuing write-ups for Kindle data we cannot see or review for "3 hour breaks" over a 4-6 hour period in the field. This "break" includes time spent driving to the drop site beyond 2 pm, walking between houses and entering dispositions, having 5-15 minute conversations between perspective donors; taking actual, legally required 1-2 15 minute breaks during an 8 hour shift, seeking out a bathroom when there is no easy access for up to 6 hours and, plotting the turf route. We did not see our turf maps until getting to the drop. Sometimes there were multiple drops– taking turf time away from some canvassers. Also, we were told we can't walk while using our kindle so; that's at least another 10-30 seconds at every house... They began writing up all employees for being as little as one minute late. Kicking them out of training; eliminating 1.5 hours of paid time and, withholding paychecks. This practice was selectively applied to employees they did not like; such as the ones who actually understand employment law works and, challenged management on saying we could only take one 10 minute break during out 8 hour shift after unpaid lunch. Some employees were denied simple equipment, such as head lamps, when we worked 2 hours past dark. A comment by a manager at the time, "This is our passive aggressive way of firing people." In the dense suburbs; I would ALWAYS exceeded quota. They began sending myself and others, being built up to be fired, into neighborhoods with fewer homes assigned than would achieve knock quota. Some homes up to 1/4-1/2 mile apart from one another with drastically increasing altitude. (3 hours of break, HA) Some turf assigned to me; was more than 7 miles in one direction. That meant a 14 miles to complete assigned turf and reach quota, then I written up for not making it to drop in time; coming in below quota for knocks and completes. We signed a contract stating we would walk 4-6 miles a day so, standard turf was 2-3 miles in one direction. We also agreed to walk in any weather conditions, so long as there was not a "state of emergency" shutting down government buildings. This meant 28 degrees in sleet, ice, snow and rain. We were demanded to get back and complete our paperwork by 8pm so, we would work from 12-8 and, be reprimanded for a minute more. This prevented us from having a full 8 hour shift due to unpaid lunch; so they did not consider a shift 8 hours. The pay and commission compensation is complicated and; based on averages of averages of averages; rather than what you actually bring in from day to day. The commission "bonus" comes in one lump amount so, it is impossible to tell if it is accurate. It is based on the number of shifts in a week (not the two week pay period) with an average of $150 per shift and, a multiplier based on the average sustainers signed up per shift. One would expect sustainers, one time donor and weekly bonus commissions would be separate to ensure accuracy. They will also deduct cancelled donations from your check and, again... it's included in the lump sum so, you never know... So far as I understand; we are paid by the non-profit we represent and, if a donation is cancelled; the money remains in DDS/CMS hands... It was a regular occurrence for the police to be called in no-soliciting neighborhoods. Sometimes multiple calls because, (RACISM) there was a black person in the neighborhood. It made white people uncomfortable. It happened more often to black employees. Some doors were answered with GUNS pointed, physical threats, being accosted and chased down the road by crazy people.
