Bumped into an old coworker
By 911Ricki
@911Ricki (13588)
Canada
November 21, 2012 3:06pm CST
I use to work with this older lady, she knew my Dad some how. Anyways, she worked at the original store I worked at, and I worked with her a short period, then transferred to a different store with the same owner.
She was telling me how she got fired, and I told her me too. As well as a load of others. I feel bad for her she has to be in her 60s and she really can't find much work at her age.
She was telling me how they just told her she was fired and didnt tell her why. I remember people telling me she got fired for being too slow at her job. I told her I got fired for sticking up for the older lady I worked nights with, and for not having a button on my pants.
I let her talk for about 45 minutes in the store, I dont think she gets out much so it was nice seeing her, and seeing she is getting her life together after being fired.
5 people like this
12 responses
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
21 Nov 12
I'm glad you were able to talk with her for that long. It is sad to hear that she was fired. It seems as if employers would be more understanding of the elderly working with. Perhaps by assigning them task that they can easily do because obviously they need a job or they wouldn't be there. That reminds me that I should send a car to this very nice older gentlemen who my husband and I befriended a few years ago. We moved to a different town and we haven't been able to visit him. He is 94 yrs old.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
27 Nov 12
Yeah I'm sure it will. I just found out the other day that he asked one of our friends for our address because he wants to drive to our house (which is 30 mins away)and see us and our daughter.
But my husband is hoping to stop by his house during his work break because we don't want him to make that trip. He's 94 and we would rather visit him than have him do that traveling. I can't wait to see how he is doing and talk with him when we are able to go visit.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
21 Nov 12
hi ricki I think that was sweet of you to listen to her and just let
her talk, At sixty it starts wi
th people thinking you are too old but
really alot of people are still very active in their sixties and its
wrong to shut them out of the work force like that they are ancient.
th people thinking you are too old but
really alot of people are still very active in their sixties and its
wrong to shut them out of the work force like that they are ancient.
@prashu228 (37524)
• India
22 Nov 12
i agree with you sixty should not be the retirement age. They should be allowed to work as long as they want . I mean no one will simply go for work if they cant work any more. That too such experienced people know what is right and wrong. I think employers should utilize this.
If they (sixty years people) find it hard to work they themselves will not work i find many people who are in their sixties but still very strong and healthy unlike many youngsters.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
27 Nov 12
I agree, I use with a lady who was 82. She was one tank, she could lift 50 pound garbage bags. She ended up getting fired for stealing money.
But most places thing older people are liability in a way they are. But some fast food palces will hire them as well.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
24 Nov 12
I always think that it is kind of nice to run into someone that you hadn't seen for a long time simply because of the fact that it is nice to catch up with people that we used to know. In addition to that, I really feel like it is only after you've lost touch with someone and then get back in touch with them that you are actually able to realize if you are true friends with a person as well. I'm sure that it was also good for the both of you to be able to have a griping session about the jobs which both of you had been fired from.
@Visdude11 (211)
• Norway
22 Nov 12
You are a very nice person that was standing there and listening to her story :) You made the weights on her old shoulders a little bit lighter. Everybody needs someone to talk to, and right there you were the person she could talk too. I really respect you for doing such things, and please keep it up. The word needs more people like you! :)
@hoseasmate (720)
• United States
23 Nov 12
In the state where I live the work is done 'at will'. This means that the employee is not obligated to stay with the company or give a reason for leaving. It also means that the employer has those same options. The employer just can't fire someone for the wrong reason and then run under the 'at will' umbrella. I have seen in recent years that the company(ies) are getting rid of the older and higher priced employees in favor of the younger ones. I know in my industry, the company will hire an older, experienced employee for a short period to clean up the mess and then get rid of them for the more inexperienced employee and one who they pay very much less. I pray that you both find a better job and make more money.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
27 Nov 12
I was at this company for 8 years, and they fired me for no valid reason. They will find anything legal to fire you, even if it means lying about it. Its sad, and that we all have to have that stress of wondering whether we will have a job tomorrow or not.
@namusoke1 (83)
• Uganda
22 Nov 12
thats why who ever we meet in our lives we shouldnot be mean to them because you never know he or will be you savior some day. indeed it is a small world
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
21 Nov 12
Well, speaking of layoffs, it is always a bad argument!
In Italy (my country), unfortunately redundancies in recent years, are almost all in my country, this guilt of an economic crisis at the moment seems almost unsolvable!
I have been fired many times in my life, but this was in the early 2000s.
I think with a lot of concern to people who work to keep a whole family. if they are laid off, who "brings the food" at home?
I know, are things you absolutely should not happen, but unfortunately the reality of the facts, seem to happen really!
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
21 Nov 12
Yes, it will probably be hard for her to find work at her age. I'm glad that you were being a good friend to her. It means a lot to people, more than you might know at the time. Just knowing someone cares is a lot.
@STOUTjodee (3573)
• United States
21 Nov 12
It's a small world, isn't it? I remember when my oldest son got married and I came for his wedding. I had lived and worked in the town that he was getting married in. Was spending time with his "soon to be" wife and her aunt came in. We kept looking at each other as if we knew each other. Come to find out she was a supervisor at a telemarketing place that I had worked at. Talk about a small world.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
21 Nov 12
I feel sorry for anyone that loses a job. bUt at 60 its more hard. I hope she has or will find something. As for you there.... have a happy thanksgiving day on thursday.
@Bluebell18 (636)
• United States
21 Nov 12
I know what you mean. I keep running into my supervisor at my old job. She keeps apologizing for sacking me three years ago. I told her it was ok. Wasn't the first gig I got fired from.
