Growing Old in the Workplace -A Poem about Job Security

Jump through the hoops little girl,

Little girl jump as high as you can.

I am waiting, I am watching.

Where on the ladder will you land.

Limber and quick in your youth,

Bounce high and skip faster.

Early to rise, up all hours.

Enjoy the part, you are the master.

Slow down and rest if you must.

Time whispers in your ear.

Stiff and slow and out you go,

Demands and deadlines are ever so near.

Jump through the hoops little girl,

Jump if you can.

Now you’re weak and you’re old.

Where will you land.

In our youth, starting our first job, we are vibrant and ready to tackle anything that comes our way. “Can you do get this done in an hour?” asks the boss. “Sure I can.” There’s a skip in your step and a song in your head, and a twinkle in your eye that no supervisor can deny. You are ready, vibrant and there to handle all obstacles in your way. Bring it on and watch me shine. Youth is a wonderful thing.

As the years pass, you mature and gain wisdom and find balance in your life. The hours spent working all that overtime as a youth are more precious to you as a mature adult. No wonder overtime is compensated at time and a half. Your time away from your family is priceless. As your priorities in life evolve and settle in, the bounce in your step subsides a bit and the warmth in your heart heats up with a longing for more time spent helping and nurturing. Your kids need you, your local community needs you and basically you need them. Your life is balanced and you’re ready to give back.

Unfortunately the corporate world doesn't want to hear about all this mushy stuff. “Do this now and in half the time it took you last month,” is a common slogan. Some older adult time clocks are out of sync with the high demands of the typical working world place of employment. “The economy is slowing, so we need you to speed up,” demands the boss. “We can easily pay a new, young go-getter half the price for twice the amount of work” squawks another corporate ladder superstar.

This is normal. Corporations need to maintain their competitive edge. However, corporate managers also need to realize that one of their biggest assets is their long term, dedicated employees who gave them the best years of their lives. Appreciate them for who they are and for who they have become in their maturing years. Don’t be so quick to kick them out just because they may not produce like they did when they were younger.

My poem is not an aim at the corporate world. It speaks for many older workers who feel like they are falling behind in the “rat race” of the work force. They at times are viewed by younger peers and management as people who are no longer needed due to their age. My mother is reaching retirement age and her supervisor asks her every year if she is interested in retiring. My mom simply replies, “I’ll retire when I’m ready.” Keep jumping little girl, you can do it.