~ job ~ Finding employment and the advantages of age

Posted by Barb @amberpep, Aug 10, 2020

After living down here in Staunton, VA (having moved from Frederick, MD) and hating Staunton, I finally got a part-time job. Nothing fancy, but it will help pay the bills. When I met with the woman who will be my boss last week ..... WOW is she ever wound up tight. I don't think she is able to smile, and is easily annoyed. That's an advantage of being a bit older .... rather than be annoyed with this I feel sorry for her. And if her behavior begins to border on abuse ..... I'll leave.
harp player

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@amberpep - I find that many, many people are on edge due to the "side effects" of the prolonged invasion of COVID. Don't you?

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@amberpep Congratulations on the job! This may be the challenge you need. With what you have been through, you may have a better understanding why some people are unhappy. And who knows? You may find yourself able to show this lady how to smile and find joy, again!
Ginger

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Merry ..... you're probably right. I know with the Covid, riots, and disruption in normal life, it can get to anyone. Thanks for the thought. harp player

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@amberpep I’m so glad you found a job! Or it found you! Tell us a little about the job. Becky

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Hi Becky .... well, at first I'll just be the welcoming host at a grocery store. Then when she has time she'll run me through the cash register. I just try to stay out of her way. It's sad to see someone her age (which I really don't know) so strung out. No job is worth that. I found out the women that started this job I have now, began on a Wednesday, went to lunch Friday and never came back. Guess why........well, I'm not so easily defeated.
harp player

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Ever since I moved to VA from MD I have looking for a part-time job with no success. I've been here almost 4 years now. I really need the money and if it weren't for my dear son, I wouldn't make it at all. My S.S. all goes to my rent. (this is a low-income apartment). Well, I finally found one at one of our local food stores, as a "host" and also to be trained cashier so I could go where needed. It sounded perfect. I started last week on a Monday and when I left Thursday I knew I was not going back. Everything from verbal sexual abuse, to a total disorganization of all the upper staff. The right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing. It tossed me around like a boat without an anchor and I had no idea what to expect next. We "worker bees" were left to do the work while the two head Mgrs. were in the back room playing cards. Well, between all this, I left. When I left Thurs., I knew I would not be back Friday. I wrote my supervisor an e-mail that night explaining everything and the reason I left, as I never had don this before, anywhere I worked ... in a dental office, Psychologist office, and a church. And then of course it started in my head "you never do anything right .... you're stupid," words that were used when I was a kid. I visited with my neighbor friend that night and she asked me "why I was so hard on myself ..... you didn't do anything except stand up for yourself." I know that's true, but I still feel like pond scum.
Thanks for listening,
abby

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@amberpep

Ever since I moved to VA from MD I have looking for a part-time job with no success. I've been here almost 4 years now. I really need the money and if it weren't for my dear son, I wouldn't make it at all. My S.S. all goes to my rent. (this is a low-income apartment). Well, I finally found one at one of our local food stores, as a "host" and also to be trained cashier so I could go where needed. It sounded perfect. I started last week on a Monday and when I left Thursday I knew I was not going back. Everything from verbal sexual abuse, to a total disorganization of all the upper staff. The right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing. It tossed me around like a boat without an anchor and I had no idea what to expect next. We "worker bees" were left to do the work while the two head Mgrs. were in the back room playing cards. Well, between all this, I left. When I left Thurs., I knew I would not be back Friday. I wrote my supervisor an e-mail that night explaining everything and the reason I left, as I never had don this before, anywhere I worked ... in a dental office, Psychologist office, and a church. And then of course it started in my head "you never do anything right .... you're stupid," words that were used when I was a kid. I visited with my neighbor friend that night and she asked me "why I was so hard on myself ..... you didn't do anything except stand up for yourself." I know that's true, but I still feel like pond scum.
Thanks for listening,
abby

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@amberpep, I'm so sorry that the job didn't work out. I moved your message to the original discussion so you can connect again with the members who know you and the background.

I agree with your neighbor. I don't think you would ever treat another human being as severely as you treat yourself. Please treat yourself as you do others: with compassion, kindness and decency. You deserve it.

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@amberpep

Ever since I moved to VA from MD I have looking for a part-time job with no success. I've been here almost 4 years now. I really need the money and if it weren't for my dear son, I wouldn't make it at all. My S.S. all goes to my rent. (this is a low-income apartment). Well, I finally found one at one of our local food stores, as a "host" and also to be trained cashier so I could go where needed. It sounded perfect. I started last week on a Monday and when I left Thursday I knew I was not going back. Everything from verbal sexual abuse, to a total disorganization of all the upper staff. The right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing. It tossed me around like a boat without an anchor and I had no idea what to expect next. We "worker bees" were left to do the work while the two head Mgrs. were in the back room playing cards. Well, between all this, I left. When I left Thurs., I knew I would not be back Friday. I wrote my supervisor an e-mail that night explaining everything and the reason I left, as I never had don this before, anywhere I worked ... in a dental office, Psychologist office, and a church. And then of course it started in my head "you never do anything right .... you're stupid," words that were used when I was a kid. I visited with my neighbor friend that night and she asked me "why I was so hard on myself ..... you didn't do anything except stand up for yourself." I know that's true, but I still feel like pond scum.
Thanks for listening,
abby

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@amberpep I read your letter with interest because some days i say the same words you do, about myself. i also have the predicament of needing a job to supplement my S.S.Have you thought of checking Child Day Cares for a job? They are always looking for child care support and usually the minimum they require here is a high school diploma or GED. The pay is not real high, I teach preschool with a Bachelor's degree and only get $12 an hr.But if you like little ones check it out.

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Thanks suzanne2 for your reply. I don't think a childcare job would work. After raising 3 kids to adulthood - 48, 46, and 36, I'm pretty much burnt out on taking care of little ones. I hope that doesn't sound nasty .... it's just the truth. abby

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