For someone who had previously worked for big national and international corporations, my stay at that company had given me a bit of a culture shock. First, the organization is owned and run by family members and the culture is laid back. Then there's the presence of family pets. On my first day, a black Standard Poodle named Kramer welcomed me to the fold. He was the Chief Financial Officer's pet. Kramer passed a few years ago, but I know that meeting that adorable dog on my first day at the office had given me a bundle of career luck.
Besides the animal-friendly atmosphere, the organization was an exclusive "Boys' Club." You see, the office demographic was 73% male when I started. The good news: There were not a lot of women to share the bathroom with! The male-dominated employment environment was most likely the reason that the Golf Tournament and baseball game outing were part of our annual employee bonding activities.
Cell phone usage in the hallways was, and continues to be, the rule rather than the exception. It had been a typical sight to see people walking down the hallway with cell phones on their ears. The receptionist had a mobile phone and answered the calls ANYWHERE... even in the bathroom! It wasn't unusual for people to be on their cell phones having a conversation with someone in the next room!
Then there was the perpetual discussions about money... loads and loads of it! One time I overheard a gentleman who was in the office for a meeting tell someone on his cell phone: "I'm buying a 4 million shopping center." That was my introduction to the world of the "rich but not famous."
Although I had unknowingly schmoozed with millionaires in the course of my work, honestly, I'd rather be working with the ordinary folks. People who share the same goals and aspirations that I have. You see, dealing with those rich people only succeeded in convincing me that "they just don't get it." As long as their pocket was lined with profits, they didn't really care about the ordinary man's struggles and hardship. We ordinary mortals work so we can keep the roof over our head. The rich go to work with a different agenda. Loyalty and hard work don't mean much because all they care about are huge numbers on the bottom line. It's all about the bottom line. Can you blame me for nursing the belief that they're in business solely to enrich themselves, not to uplift the lives of their ordinary employees? The reason that Oprah Winfrey is rich and powerful boils down to a simple code of conduct: she takes good care of the people who take care of her.
Although losing gainful employment isn't what I expected at a time when I'm on the verge of going into my sixth decade, I remain grateful for the 7 years spent in that company. I can't deny that my employer was kind enough to allow me many moments to shine. Even if losing work now has messed up my retirement planning, the case is true of many others in many places. All I can think of is that it's God's plan for me and only He knows what kind of future I deserve.
The animated picture below was sent to me a long time ago in an e-mailed joke. I think it's appropriate to accompany this "farewell to the rich employer" piece. A nice, relaxing back rub is what I need after 7 years of stress and madness. Once I get worked over and rejuvenated, I'll be ready to venture into my next adventure. I know that something better is out there. I just have to find it.
Please wish me luck!
photo credit: unknown
