By Ben King, 29 May 2001 17:32
NEWS Call centre workers in Grimsby will soon have another reason to be depressed, after Linda Barker of TV's Changing Rooms gives their work environment a makeover. In keeping with the traditions of the hit BBC show, the office is in line for a radical redesign in thoroughly dubious taste, but it will certainly ensure the centre is no longer drab or boring. According to the press release, "the centrepiece of the call centre will be a mirror ball with coloured back lighting which can be lowered to create a party atmosphere on a Friday afternoon". Other bizarre ideas include a "torpedo shaped 'Business Intelligence Unit'... linking computerised targets and results to large, constantly changing LED screens to motivate and encourage employees". Callers experiencing longer than normal hold times can comfort themselves with the knowledge that the staff are probably relaxing with their new Twister and table football equipment. The Grimsby Telegraph call centre won a £14,000 makeover in a competition run by IP telephony provider Mitel Networks. Surprisingly, the ideas were not dreamed up by Linda Barker, whose outlandish decoration horrors have brought tears to the eyes of many a participant on the BBC show. They were dreamed up by the staff themselves in a day-long brainstorming session. We rang the call center to ask the staff for a reaction, but the rules forbid them to talk to the press without permission of the Public Relations department. The décor may be about to change, but call centre life is clearly still as restricted as ever.
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