Service advisors monitor conversations between operators and customers to observe the operator's behavior, technical accuracy, and adherence to company policies. The hours of PBX or switchboard operators are generally the same as those of other clerical workers in the firm. In some organizations, they work 40 hours a week during regular business hours. Operators in hotels, hospitals, and other places in which telephone service is needed on a 24-hour basis, even work shifts on holidays and weekends. They also may work day, evening, or night shifts, including weekends and holidays.
Some operators work split shifts.
That is, they are on duty during the peak calling periods in the late morning and early evening and have time off in between. Telephone companies normally assign shifts by seniority, allowing the most experienced workers to choose when they will work. These operators, like all telephone company employees, may be on call 24-hours a day. In general, though, they work overtime only during emergencies. But if the work site is not well designed, these operators may experience eyestrain and back discomfort.