Convergys Closing Winnipeg Call Centre
Convergys Corporation on Fultz Boulevard will close and lay off about 500 employees from its call centre, ChrisD.ca has learned.
The notice was given to staff Tuesday afternoon.
The call centre handles inbound customer service and support calls for a number of companies.
Back in March, the company said it would layoff 275 workers over the next three months after losing a customer-contact program with Bell ExpressVu. In November, another 21 positions were eliminated.
A tentative date floating around for the closure is March 26, 2010. A company spokesperson says they are still open to replacement programs to save the Winnipeg office.
A few years ago, Convergys expanded its Manitoba operations to Brandon, but closed up shop not long after. Their former building on Princess Avenue is now being eyed to house a future museum.
See Also:
See News? Shoot It & Send It!
December 8th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
good riddance i say
December 8th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Most excellent! Bring someone who respects employees around!
December 8th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
This was inevitable. It was a matter of time but for many who were working there, we saw it coming but had no idea when.
Was this a surprise when we got the news this morning? It wasn’t for some of us. No doubt there a few who were distraught by the news and one actually left to go home early in tears. There are some ‘vetrans’ who have been there for 12-15 years with this company.
True, some will be very happy to see it gone, and for others, it will be missed. Overall, we are bunch of great people who have been working together and soon it will be time to turn out the lights.
December 8th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Worst. Job. Ever. They are absolute control-freaks.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
While I do feel for the people getting canned, I’m glad the place is closing. Were we really surprised? I think not. Most former employees, myself included, didn’t think it would last much longer.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I don’t know why some people would be happy they’re going. It is an employer bringing money into our economy. They are putting people to work.
If you have something against call centres, a have a couple things to say: 1) this is an inbound call centre (ie. you call them, they don’t call you). 2) many people use jobs like this to pay their way through university, or to build technical skills that will lead to other jobs.
I got my start in a technical call centre and it was a God send at the time, and helped me to get to where I am. I am sorry to hear this news, in part because I know somebody who works there, but also because it is another blow to Winnipeg.
Hopefully they find a way to keep it going. Winnipeg is a good place for that type of operation, with a central time zone and bilingual work force.
December 9th, 2009 at 12:34 am
I agree with Mark. They are absolute control-freaks there, monitor every single thing you do, every move you make. It’s ridiculous. Worst 7 months of my life working there.
I wonder how many current employees are genuinely upset at this news?
December 9th, 2009 at 10:38 am
So Curtis Brown is out of a job?
December 10th, 2009 at 10:45 am
I used to be a Team Leader there but left of my own accord last year, after seven years with the company. I saw the writing on the wall, yes, but like many others I left because of the growing sense of inhumanity creeping into its labour practices and couldn’t stomach having to be that way as a manager myself.
Leaving was one of the best decisions I ever made. But I feel for those who don’t have anything lined up for continued employment.
December 10th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I feel for the people who did not get out of there before this happened.
I worked on the Fedex account for 2 years and couldn’t get away from Covergys fast enough. There was some weird hierarchy system and the people who were apparently in charge stayed upstairs in their offices and never came down to the call center. You really weren’t allowed upstairs unless you were training and you had to stick to the training rooms.
It’s no wonder that they failed to keep their contracts since it seems that they never gave a damn about their employees.
Worst place that I ever worked in my life!!
December 20th, 2009 at 12:51 am
I’m an ex-Con – was there for over 13 years. I am actually glad to be rid of this place. It’s been going downhill for the past 3-4 years. If you are working there, fret not, you will be MUCH better off afterwards. Time to celebrate their demise!
I’m gonna have a drink, cheers!
)
January 25th, 2010 at 11:02 am
convergys ottawa is going tonight…
January 29th, 2010 at 9:37 am
I AM HAPPY THOSE JERKS ARE GONE. THEY LIE, AND CHEAT. THAT’S WHY BELL DIDN’T RENEW THERE CONTRACT WITH THEM….
ANYWAYS I GAVE OUT ABOUT $20,000.00 IN CREDITS TO POOR BELL EXPRESSVU CUSTOMERS GETTING RIPPED OFF BECAUSE THE “BILLING SYSTEM” MADE A MISTAKE…..
P.S
JUST THINK ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE NOW HAVE ALL YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, YOUR S.I.N, CREDIT CARD ADDRESS… ECT ALL US PISSED OF CSR’S WITH ALL THE INFO IN THE WORLD… LOL