OK, let me see if I can explain this.

I am temping for an agency here in ATL, and they called me last week and asked if I could come in and do some work for them in their office. So, I am temping at the temp office.

I have several amusing stories to tell about it so far, only one of them being that I am forced to go by an alias on this job, but the newest one is this: They want me to interview prospective candidates. The temp people want the temp to interview potential temps, is what I'm saying.

Not that I have any desire to do that, and not that I have ever interviewed anyone before, but I am in no position to refuse since I have negative dollars at my disposal.

Ever been asked to do something on the job that is totally ridiculous and beyond your scope? Do tell.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Answers

This was not job related. However, I occassionally judge horseshows. Just small hometown, 4-H, or Open shows as they are called. My sister usually refers folks to me if she is booked up.

So one night I get a call from a woman, Dr. Vet, who wants me to announce a rodeo. As in be the announcer for a high school rodeo. I've been to a rodeo or two in my time, but I had no desire or skills to do this. She was so persistant that I finally had to get ugly with her and tell her off. She called back two weeks later and asked me if I'd changed my mind.

Coming outta chute #1 is Dr. Vet riding Not-a-Clue.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

The most fun is when you're answering phones as a temp, and the person on the other end thinks you're someone important. Right now I'm temping in a very limited, clerical-type position for a state agency in NYC. But when I talk to people in other offices, they get all nervous, like I'm the IRS, when all I'm calling about is a form I need them to fill out.

I am so sorely tempted to tell them "Chill, lady, I'll bet you make three times what I do. I'm just a lowly temp cog. I can in no way get you fired." But it is nice that everyone rushes to get the info back to me, so I don't.

I do remember when I was an admin assistant, an employer once asking me if I knew how to give a neck massage. Ummmm....ew. No way, lady. Not in my job description.

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2002