A distinguished retired gentleman and his wife in their late seventies were beginning to feel the financial pinch caused by rising energy costs, general inflation and static pensions.
After much discussion they decided that he, being the most able, would seek some kind of late life employment and so earn a little extra income.
Reluctant though he was, he found a job stacking shelves in the local mega-B&Q.
However, there was another problem. He just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was two, three or even, on one occasion, five minutes late for work.
In spite of the fact that he was a really hard, conscientious worker who displayed a high level of intelligence, the Store Manager was in a quandary about how to deal with it.
Finally, after ten daysi or so the Store Manager had had enough, and called the OAP into the office for a 'chat'.
'I have to tell you,' the Manager said starting on a positive note, 'I like your work ethic, you do a first class job, but your being late so often is quite a worry.'
'Yes, I realise that, sir. I am very very sorry, but I am working on it.' Replied the pensioner.
I'm very pleased to hear that, you're obviously a team player, and that's what we like here. It's odd though, you're coming in late almost every day. I know that you're retired from the Merchant Navy. What did they say there if you came in late?'
The OAP replied, 'They said, Good Morning, Captain.'
:smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
like it!
Mike
Excellent :grin: :grin: :grin:
mmm, imagine what kind of pension a ships captain might be on...
On the subject of pensioners having to take more basic jobs than those they held in their career, one of my relatives is in this position. Made redundant from a clerical/admin positionin in late 50s and not able to draw her state pension yet. Unable to find a role in her previous field (employers say too old but not overtly of course) she took an agency cleaning job.
She is fit and active and enjoys cleaning things. As a result of going about via the agency she has picked up "private" clients who pay her cash in hand. She now has sufficient of these to cut her agency hours down to below the NI and tax threshold. She is planning to build up her private list so she can leave the agency and continue on this route until her state pension age. She says she will probably still keep a few private clients to give her a little extra going forward. She has no compunction about doing this because of the shabby way in which pensioners are treated.
With the chronic shortage of tradespeople I suspect that many people who have skills in gardening, jobbing or cleaning etc will be able to pick up plenty of "side hustle" work in a similar way. One way to beat the tax and NI rises if you are on PAYE.
Unless someone decides to report her to HMRC...😮