TL;DR: My current workplace is super toxic (the company has been described as modern slavery) and I’m looking for advice/insights on getting out ASAP.
Background
Last September my 12-month contract came to an end without any chance of renewal. It was unfortunate but I understood the risk when I took the position. My previous roles included working as a content moderator and eventually moving my way up to being an expert in the area as well as supporting a small team. This was all through a vendor. The job was good but I needed something more stimulating and working in the content moderation field for very long is not great for your mental health.
Around the middle of last year, I got really into videography and have been trying to grow that side hustle since. It’s gained some more traction this month but it’s not enough to leave my 9-5 yet.
Current Job/Role
After about a month and a half of being without work, I got into my current role via a referral from an ex-coworker. The role wasn’t exactly what I was looking for but I took it because I had bills that I needed to pay. I couldn’t survive on just my partner’s part-time pay.
I joined the team as a Senior AI Data Trainer. On paper, the work seemed similar to the work I’d done at LinkedIn. That’s about where the similarities stop.
Our job is to essentially help train and correct AI models that have received negative feedback from the user. We will evaluate the conversation, critique the response (four in total) and then provide an ideal response. The work isn’t very difficult, it’s just mind-numbing. We also have some crazy KPIs to achieve.
Initially, management and the company seemed great. Everyone was super helpful and friendly, but after a couple of months (present-day), their true colours have started to shine through. I’ve been on my current project for three weeks but I’m expected to be achieving the same as someone who has been working on it for months. There is a ton of micromanagement going on.
For example, I had management complain to me today about my AHT because I had one bad day and it was higher than usual. Never mind the fact that the overall trend from the last three weeks has been trending down. When I mentioned this, the response was “Okay…” and then the subject was changed to some other “issue”.
Details about the company
We use an app called Hubstaff to track our time. Normally you can see your hourly rate there but they have turned that feature off and only use it for time and activity tracking. We need to use our personal machines for work and need this installed on it. The app will periodically take screenshots of any and all screens. It will also keep track of the websites you visit.
The company is 100% remote but is registered in the US. They send us our pay twice monthly via Wise, so my “payslip” is an email from Wise saying I received a transfer. Since I’m based in Europe the pay gets converted into Euros.
I am paid $15.50 (€14.28) an hour. While management gets $100k + $20k bonus. AI Data Trainers don’t have any benefits at all. Management was recently on a trip to the Dominican Republic (paid for by the company), just because they could.
Conclusion
It has been very draining working here. I’m grateful that I got a job and that I can pay for my bills but I can’t be here for much longer. I’ve been applying for jobs on LinkedIn but haven’t had any luck yet. I’d love some advice on getting out and into a new role or if anyone has had a similar experience, what did you do?
I sent an email to a recruiter that helped a friend previously so hopefully I can get something from that. I have also been messaging friends and coworkers to try to get referrals.
It’s just really draining working here. I’m super unhappy and need to get out but I haven’t heard back from any of the applications I’ve sent.
Edit: Thank you for all the comments. I have edited the post to make it clearer and easier to follow.
Edit 2: Just seen this message on Slack from management: “Let’s Crush It! 🚀 Every question, task, 1:1, and workshop is a step towards our collective success. Remember, we’re not just a team; we’re a community pushing the boundaries of what’s possible! And remember, we are so, so proud of you guys!”.
Since it sounds like you’re looking to get out, could try the malicious compliance quiet quitting route.
You need to get that monitoring software off your personal laptop. That’s for peace of mind and to speed up your ability to effectively job hunt.
Ask a friend if they have a real piece of shit laptop they don’t use anymore to lend you, or buy the shittiest laptop you can find for under €100.
One day after work, completely reformat your laptop. Restore it to factory settings. Back up any files you want to keep but let anything related to work (except your activity metrics, see below) be wiped. Don’t want to risk any part of that monitoring software surviving.
If any files critical for your work are lost, good. Let your employer learn why it is dangerous to require employees to work on personal devices.
The next day, reach out to your supervisor saying “My laptop died last night and now it doesn’t turn on anymore. I’ll need some time to get a replacement.”
Take the excuse to have a couple days off, even if without pay, and even though you already have the piece of shit laptop to use for work instead. Use this time to aggressively job hunt.
When you return to work with the shitty laptop, if it is unbearably slow and kills your performance metrics, that’s the idea. Use the time spent being less productive to job hunt on your now-clean main laptop.
If you get shit from management about being less productive, blame the performance of the laptop. If they tell you that you need a better one, remind them that they don’t pay you well enough to afford one. This is all to let your employer feel the sting of not providing devices directly or a stipend to afford something specifically for work.
Keep a backup of your performance metrics if you can. Your employer is hopefully providing metrics and feedback to you. Let there be a noticeable dip when you “lose” your laptop so you can demonstrate that your change in performance is entirely related to the device. If your competency is challenged, you have the receipts.
Hopefully you are able to find a better job quickly and leave your current job on good terms. However, if they fire you because of your lower performance, that can potentially be demonstrated as an unfair dismissal in Ireland. Especially if your employer is based out of the US and takes the American mentality of firing without cause.