Half a Step Over

I the Worker

I’ve never argued with the fact that when I am on a job, I’m frequently one of the oldest people in the office, if not the oldest by at least several years. Some businesses just seem to hire younger and younger people, which is a way to save money.

What’s wrong with saving money? Or never mind that, what’s wrong with thinking that on every job you should come in at 10 a.m., but expect to leave at 5 or 5:30 p.m., and take at least an hour for lunch. I think this is where my age comes in. I wouldn’t ever think of assuming that, but then again, I’m older and probably considered odd. And my work ethic doesn’t happen like that.

Instead, I listen to the hours HR tells me to be there, and I come in for them. If the meeting is at 9:30 every day, I don’t assume I can miss it because I was there late the night before. (Then again, if I work until after 11 p.m. to make sure the job gets to the client on time, I probably won’t be at the meeting, an neither will anyone who was there late with me.) I don’t assume that I shouldn’t have to work hard but will still be rewarded. And I never assume that someone else is there to pick up behind me. My office is not my mother—and she doesn’t pick up after me either.

There are some benefits to having been around for a while. First, I actually usually know the job I’m asked to do, so there’s no training involved. Second, I’m happy to have the work so I’m easier to get along with in the office, and usually ready to go as soon as I get in. I don’t need a 20-minute coffee break to start my day. Finally, due to having been around for a bit, I’m usually pretty good at getting along with just about everyone I meet (yes, there are some duds, but it’s a minority) so I don’t rock the boat of office dynamics all that often. I’m also pretty good at figuring out quickly who I should avoid in the office in order to make sure I’m invited back—more billings for me.

Would I like my workload to be less? Sometimes. Do I try to take pride in what I do and put in the time to make sure it’s right? Absolutely. Unfortunately, I seem to be in a very small minority. Why is that? Who decided we were owed for not doing a job? Who thinks that if you work the basic hours someone else will just pick up the slack—and never question that you must be superior because you don’t cover for yourself? And who decides who gets what assignments—yes, that would be the boss. Frankly, if you’re not doing your work, don’t expect the promotion—and don’t complain when you don’t get it. In all likelihood the person who moved up the ladder was probably the one coming in earlier, staying later, and making sure the job was done—well. Yes, they might have been currying favor with the powers above them, but ultimately, most of the time, if you can’t do the work you’re not going to get anyplace. It just about always comes home to hit you if you move up to where you shouldn’t be.

And for those who do realize that I might be older than their mothers, remember that I’m polite; I still try to smile at everyone; and I do deserve respect unless I behave like a complete fool. Manners really do count much of the time, and periodically, they pay off. Maybe if the young came in at the appropriate time, sat down, and did what they were supposed to, the firm wouldn’t need to hire me to clean up after you. Or to do your work. And the firm wouldn’t routinely have mass layoffs due to budget cuts, or because there was less work available. Instead they bring in people like me, who may not be willing to stay really late but also don’t get benefits and work on an as-needed basis. (That means that if we come in and after 4 hours you don’t need us, we go home, even if we were promise three days of billings.) Maybe they would keep you around if you had shown loyalty and an ability to do the work—or even an interest in doing it well.

Homework Counts

Putting in the time to do a job right counts. I know you just graduated from college, and your professors said you were great. Doesn’t mean you know everything. I once worked in a place where the assistant questioned me on a style issue. Seems her professor said one thing but I was doing something else. Of course, the fact that the professor was teaching her newspaper style, and we were doing medical, never came up—oh wait, it did, when I pointed it out. She admitted she hadn’t even opened that manual; I suggested, politely, that she did. Then I went off to ask my friend with 20 years of newspaper experience (not the 20 days this girl had) about the question she asked. My friend in the trenches immediately pointed out that style is subjective, and no one followed it that tightly. Plus, you need to follow what the client wants, not just what a professor is teaching. The real world can be different.

Step back for a moment and try listening. Learning doesn’t end when you get your diploma. In fact, that’s only the beginning—yes, it’s a cliché but there is truth in the saying. You can learn something and do better if you listen to people like me—the old fogies.

Oh, and for you “friends” who know all about getting a job, but haven’t actually had to find one in the last 20-plus years: the answer to someone who is out of work isn’t, “Well, I’m sure you can find a job if you really want one.” (And no, I don’t talk to her anymore.) Do you really think the world is waiting to hire you if you want to suddenly go out once the kids are gone and make a little money? When there are at least three people for every job, and most of them have far more current work experience than you do? I bet you’ll be surprised when you don’t get an interview—unless you know someone who is willing to create a little something for you. Trust me, it won’t be all that scintillating to do whatever work is tossed at you; you’ll still be expected to get it done; and I’m pretty sure it won’t pay what you think you’re worth.

Older Really Isn't Stupid 

Remember, you’re older now, and a lot of young people think older means stupid. Yes, this has been a bit of a rant, but as an older worker, who has been through both the ups and the downs, I think I have a right to say something—due to my age, and the fact that I have never been let go for cause, or even been put on probation because I didn’t perform well, you might want to listen.