24Agent:

“Helpdesk, this is ***, how can I help you?”

“How can I shut my computer off?”

“OK. The beeping you hear in your room is a UPS. It’s going to keep your computer powered on for only about 19 minutes at best, so it’s good you called. Go into your Start menu and shut your computer down through the Shut Down option.

“OK, where?” [ Explains how to shut down a computer.]

“I don’t see where you’re talking about.”

“OK, do you see your computer screen?”

“No, it’s dark in here. It’s dark everywhere. The power went out.”

“Yes, I know. It’s out all over campus. ”

“Yeah, so I can’t see anything. My computer is off.”

“OK… your computer is off? Then why did you call? What do you need?”

“I don’t know. I just wanted to know how to shut my computer down.”

University helpdesk agent

is the constant threat my position will be made redundant because an outsource company can pay someone a quarter of my wage in another country to fill it. This is the main reason I am considering a career change.

Anonymous