18-year-old call center employee told by new supervisor to "just stick to the script" she does exactly as asked leading to her boss changing her mind: 'If you deviate even slightly, you’ll be written up'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Jul 18, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Mindless work for a paycheck is something that might appeal to a great many people, but that's before exploring the reality of that situation. The reality is living your working days in a mindless fugue state where there is nothing changing from day to day, there is no growth, nothing learned, and very little to nothing produced that you're proud of.

On the flip side, if you're being challenged by your work and allowed (and allowing yourself) to take new risks and tackle new challenges trying new things when you look back at the course of your work and portfolio, you come to find that there is a breadth of work you're proud of and have learned from sweeping out behind you.

We inherently are more productive and feel better when we have something motivating us and pushing us forward, and autonomy and empowerment—a purpose.

That's why being told by a micromanaging supervisor to just "stick to the script" and closely follow the prohibitive process can be grinding. For those truly looking to switch off and earn a paycheck, perhaps this is a blessing, but for the rest of us, it is stifling.

When this young worker was told by her new supervisor to stick to the script under threat of a write-up, she was sure to follow orders. But, in doing so, she took on a persona that matched the robotic nature of the script she was being forced to read, eventually leading to her boss being forced to backpedal.

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  • 01
    I (18F) worked at a call center for about 3 months, mostly helping people reset passwords and answer basic questions. During training, the told us to "sound natural and conversational." Cool. I did that and got great feedback from callers. Then we got a new supervisor who flipped if we didn't read the script exactly as written. She said, "If you deviate even slightly, you'll be written up." Okay.
    via al1cewillson
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10531489024
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 03
    Next call, a guy says, "Hey, my account's locked, can you help me real quick?" I respond (robot mode): "Hello, thank you for calling. My name is [NAME], and I hope you're having a wonderful day. How may I assist you with you technical concern today?" He paused and said, "...Are you serious?" I kept going exactly word for word. Even even the weird fake empathy lines like, "I completely understand how frustrating this unique situation must feel."
    via al1cewillson
  • 04
    Mid call, my supervisor walked by, and actually stopped to listen. She tilted her head, looked confused, and asked after the call, "Why were you talking like that?" I just said, "You told me to stick to the script." She didn't have a comeback. And funnily enough, the next day, she told our team: "Okay, just make sure you cover the key points. You can be natural again."
    via al1cewillson
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10531489280
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 06
    Hollow Voices I hated working for a call center SO MUCH
    via al1cewillson
  • 07
    Apprehensive-Bag-900 I got written up for not saying 3 pleases and 3 thank you. The call lasted less than a minute. Meanwhile a handful of coworkers were dropping difficult calls so they could keep their talk time lower to qualify for money bonuses with zero repercussions.
    via al1cewillson
  • 08
    ReginaSpektorsVJ I hate those stupid empathy lines in the script. I once had to call roadside assistance because my company truck was stuck in the mud and the guy was like "| understand that it's very frustrating to be stuck in mud" like yeah cool buddy I need a winch truck not a therapist
    via al1cewillson
  • 09
    casanochick I worked in a call center for a now- defunct bank that was marketed as being quirky and upbeat (pre- housing crash. They crashed so, so hard). Our managers gave us a BINGO card of phrases to use on calls, and the first person to complete a line got a cash bonus. Things like "how can I make your day excellent?" And "can you do me a favor? Have a great day!" Our customer feedback included a lot of expletives.
    via al1cewillson
  • 10
    hawkinsst7 I use Google Assistant to help filter spam calls. A few days ago, someone from a business I was dealing with called and (unbeknownst to me) got caught up in the anti-spam cycle. He left a message and was like, "I just going to read the script now, OK?" Bravo to the dude.
    via al1cewillson
  • 11
    Go_Gators_4Ever I would have used my best impression of Christopher Walken for the voice and inflections.
    via al1cewillson

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