Mountain West Cuts Call Center Staff

In the US, Mountain West Research Center has announced a reduction in its workforce at its Idaho phone center, which it says is 'temporary' and blames on a 'volatile' research climate and slow economic recovery.

Based in Pocatello, Idaho, the firm has been collecting primary data for market research organizations since 1995. Its specialities include concept testing, customer and employee satisfaction research, brand awareness, product usage measurement and political and opinion polling.

Its call center employs about 50 staff, and according to reports, some of the laid-off workers were told the company intends to retain about 20 employees.

A company statement said: 'Ongoing variability in market research activities stemming from the economic downturn and nascent recovery have necessitated a short term workforce realignment.'

Director Jesse Reinhold says the company will work to try and restore the lost positions as soon as possible, and that in the meantime the reduced staff will continue to service existing clients.

Mountain West is an affiliate of Western Wats Center, which was fined $552k last year for employing minors to conduct market research and political surveys from its call centers.

Web site: www.mwrcenter.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.