Mumbai: 

NO MORE ATTRACTIVE: The big pay packet has lost its lustre with candidates aiming more for learning, exposure, brand and fun. REPRESENTATION PIC

Call centres once managed to lure youngsters with large pay packets and benefits. But not anymore. The attrition rate has skyrocketed and a month is all that most people are willing to give their BPO jobs.

This has affected recruitment agencies that cater to BPO jobs. "Most employees don't stay around for more than 45 days. It is not lucrative for recruitment agencies. It used to rake in money once upon a time, but not anymore. Other industries with comparable salaries offer better shifts and concrete work experience besides professional growth. Salaries offered for freshers in call centres range from Rs 7,000 to 15,000, which many industries such as hospitality, events and media have caught up with," said Priyanka Phillips, HR manager, TEH Placement Services, which has closed down recruitment for BPOs.

Another recruitment agency, Forsure placements in Andheri (W), is on the brink of doing so. Vishal Narsain, director, Forsure, said, "Unless the people we recruit stick on for more than three months, we do not get a pay up from the company concerned."

Hari Nair, HR specialist, who has studied a wide range of BPO employment trends, said that 11 to 20 per cent BPO recruitment agencies have either closed down or moved to recruiting for other industries. He added, "The BPO attrition rate is 23 to 32 per cent. The big pay packet has lost its lustre with candidates aiming more for learning, exposure, brand and fun. Also, in most call centres, growth in the company depends on your relationship with the boss."

Seconding this is ex-BPO employee Addison Franklin, who works in Hakim Aalim's hair salon. "People take calls for years together without any promotion. Even hard work doesn't pay. One has to butter up the boss to get anywhere close to a promotion."