Bad day at work but I will hang in there until the end

I’ve got a job interview on Monday at Goodwill. Wish me luck.
Six years wasn’t a bad run, right? This janitor job lasted longer than any other job I ever had. But I am counting on a position that will not hurt my back.

I have arthritis in my lower back from unloading heavy merchandise off of 52 foot truck trailers for four years in the early nineties . And I did it with breakneck speed and I was one of the top workers on our 9 man crew. My competition were a bunch of guys in their late teens and early twenties. I was 35 years old.
But at my work lately, I have been making big errors and forgetting stuff and I get around very slowly. The tasks that used to take me an hour to do just a year ago are now taking 3 hours, This morning when I got into work, they gave me two assignments that should have taken me three hours at the most but I didn’t get finished until 5 hours went by.

I know my supervisors must be discussing this with each other but for now, they are giving me chance after chance to get better and nobody talks about it in front of me. The only reason I haven’t gotten fired already is because they like me and I used to be a good worker before my troubles and I have been there so long. I’m actually amazed that they haven’t fired me. Another part of the reason is that after doing this job for six years I know the job pretty well and it would be a hassle to replace me. But just a month ago I did really well on a time study of my work and my productivity was way up and bosses complimented me for the improvement

Anyway, all the stressful things that have happened to me in the past year including my mom’s death have taken their toll. My memory is shot, my back hurts and I can’t bend at the waist and last night I literally got amnesia. A big chunk of my memory is gone. Disappeared. Kaput. At this point, I have to ignore it for now and just carry on. That’s all I can do for now. I’ll tell my shrink and my therapist and see if they have any ideas on getting my memory back.

I’m stressed as hell. I have been running around like a chicken with his head cut off and I stopped a few a weeks ago and I realized that, that isn’t normal. I could handle physical and mental stress in my thirties and forties but now I’m 55 years old and I am also suffering from crippling fatigue. I try to ignore it at work but it is always there and with all the stress and pressure I am seriously, seriously afraid I might have a heart attack, like my dad did.

Sorry, I hate to bring people down but this is what my situation is. It’s not all bad though. I literally have moments of peace and reflection. I look back on my life and I often wonder, "How on earth did I do that, lol? I look back on all my jobs and going to college and doing stuff with friends and I stand in awe of myself, lol. But 55 is too young to give up.

I have a realistic shot at getting my old productive life back. I have a few more obstacles than I did when I was younger, but like my step-dad, who I’ve known for 25 years, told me a month ago in an, e-mail.

He said he has always admired me for my ability to achieve my goals, no matter what else is going on in my life at the time. He’s an extremely bright guy and he’s traveled to other parts of the world, so that was a big compliment coming from someone like him.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to the weekend. The weather has been mild and warm and sunny. I got gas in the car, I’ve got a little money and two days to explore the big city. My goal is to go downtown for some sushi. I might go to the park, I’ve done that several times this month. Yep. Tomorrow is “good food day”, I will definitely go out to eat somewhere even if it is just driving down 10 blocks to McDonald’s.

I hope you guys have a great night. See you in the funny papers and be kind to your rats, dogs, and cats.

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your strong nick, you’ve been going strong for years. be proud of that.
i had a tough day at work too. i think i might go get some sushi too.

cheers to a better tomorrow :blush:

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From your description, I’m not sure you are failing them at work . . .

Jayster

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You are a big fan of sushi, nick.

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It’s a big treat for myself. I don’t actually have it that often.

Yeah, cheers to a better tomorrow.

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They don’t bug me about my problems but there’s not a way that they couldn’t be noticing them. Maybe I’m doing better than I think. Thanks Jayster.

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@77nick77 I’m sorry you had a tough day. I hope you feel better. Also, good luck with your interview—I hope you get the job—I think you would be an asset to any employer.

Please don’t worry so much about your current job. I think most employers are used to having employees of all ages and understand that while older employees may slow down a bit with age, they are also often more dependable and bring life experience to the table. Slowing down as we age is only natural. Also, the forgetfulness could just be that pesky aging rearing it’s unwanted head. :confused:

I’m 50-ish myself so I’m speaking from experience. I have really started noticing an increase in aches and pains, slowing down, forgetting things, etc. in the past couple of years. Blehhhh!—I’m not sure my comments will make you feel any better but at least you know you’re not alone. :relaxed:

(Ummm—What was your name again?—Just keeding! :wink:)

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Actually, it does make me feel better. When I was looking for work before, I did get the impression from prospective employers that they liked hiring more mature employees for the very reasons you said. Now excuse me while I go watch TV. HBO is having a Three Stooges marathon and I am going to fix myself some Cracker Jacks and chocolate milk and watch it while I sit in my pajamas. But thanks for the reply @Moonbeam. My situation is dead serious but I need to drop a little humor into everything I do.

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Funny movies are a good way to knock the stress down, they should be mandatory, along with eating good food.
I know when I experience a lot of stress, especial prolonged, I become very unproductive, like right now-I should be sorting/filing papers, but…
Hopefully you’ll bounce back again soon, you have good work ethics and persevere like a trouper, a valuable asset for any employer.
Enjoy your good weekend !

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@77nick77 Definitely treat yourself to some sushi today. I am a firm believer in the benefits of sushi in lifting one’s mood. You can have the crackerjacks for dessert. :slight_smile:

P.S. I like your sense of humor

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I don’t think it would hurt to sit down and talk with your boss and explain what you’re aware of. Maybe they can find some sort of accommodation for you? Maybe move you to a position where you’re doing less cleaning and more training? You have a lot of knowledge and experience to share with other workers.

Rooting for you, man. :heart:

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Good luck with the interview. Hope everything gets better. Also I agree with the other posters above, it doesn’t sound like you’re under performing at your current job.

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Good luck with your interview!

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Thank you. I’ll use my skill I’ve learned in prior interviews to get me through but a little luck never hurt.

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Thank you. I’m doing the best I can right now.

didn’t read all of this Nick, my attention low, but beware, cuz even Goodwill is going to self supported employment outside of agency, not sure your position, it’s all changing.

Goodwill will do what’s right though, Job Coaches, and work within the community.

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Thanks pixel. I have made a couple of comments to my supervisors alluding to my performance and I apologized but so far we haven’t sat down and discussed it in depth. So this suggestion may be a good idea. We only have a four man crew and we all know the job so there’s no one to train. Thanks for the support.

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I’m sorry to be Debby Downer, but they never hired me, and went from within.

Goodwill seems to be interested in me. I applied and gave them my resume and then, as most employment counselors recommend, I followed up on it and went back three days later.

I went back in person to see if they had filled the position and to show I was very interested in the job if it was still open and to make them remember me when they are considering who to hire. I talked to the manager and he told me about a job fair that another Goodwill across town was having the next day for their own store.

I missed the job fair due to having to go to work at my current job that day, but when I got home from work I called them up and told them I missed the job fair and asked if they had a position still open. The woman on the line told me to call back the next day but I got busy and forgot to call.

So a couple of days go by and I’m resting before dinner and I get a call from Goodwill and the woman says that they want to interview me on Monday!! I figure I am impressed them somehow even though I missed the job fair and didn’t call them when I should have.

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