The absolute worst job was when I worked for the Postal Service from May to July of 2001. I was a remote encoder. This meant that for 4 hours I would sit and type in zip codes and addresses. While the pay was good ($13/hr), everything else SUCKED!!! For one, you could not talk AT ALL while working. You simply had to concentrate on the B&W computer screen and the mail image on the screen. Second, you could bring a walkman, but only after your speed was above a certain level. If it went below the level, you went back to not having headphones. In order to break up the monotony (sp?) you took a break every 55 minutes. The first break was 5 minutes, the second was 10 minutes, and it alternated back and forth. Oh, and the worse thing, two words: MANDATORY OVERTIME. This job was during the evening hours from like 6-10 PM. If it was slow, they would let you go without asking. But let the mail be backed up and you were forced to stay without asking. I'm sitting here getting mad as I type.
