Mr. Big Stuff

This was a comparatively sedate Christmas. Management treated it like the rest of the year. It did not prevent one driver from receiving every large package imaginable.

He is not "Mr. Big Stuff" because of an inflated ego. No, he receives more large packages than he should. Trucks are the same size as they ever were. He does not have business deliveries. While that keeps him away from reams of paper and most tires- some people order tires for delivery to their house. If they have a garage, why not?

One reason this position has engaged me longer than any other is the consistency of colleagues. On my level there is more turnover than at a Bangalore Call Center. Management does not care about employee retention and enjoys losing thousands of dollars on processing employees who don't last a full paycheck.

And we are paid weekly. Drivers are more consistent. Some have worked longer than new employees have lived. Over twenty years. Brief exchanges with someone friendly makes all the difference.

They have been around and know what to expect from management. I try changing the culture from where I am. Once I move on to ancestry the culture of "People who work hard are given more to do while the lazy are allowed to manifest the Cardinal Sin of Sloth" will take over.

Management will only care about their salaries and bonuses they don't deserve. If you think the young generation is entitled you have seen nothing compared to management who receives bonuses by cutting low paid employees.

None of which has to do with John. He drives a truck on the end. That means large packages can be stored on the side of the truck until the end of the day. Some drivers have no space for large packages. Occasionally there is not enough room and a supervisor has to meet them on the road to give them large packages that did not fit originally.

Everything is delivered eventually. It isn't bad enough Mr Big Stuff has so many large deliveries in an affluent neighborhood. Many customers realize they do not want an exercise machine and request it to be returned. They don't care about a return fee.

An Echo Bike (which I refer to as an Excite Bike to remind others of video games from their childhood) weighs one hundred forty-eight pounds. Our limit is one hundred fifty pounds for packages. This one cuts it close. Delivering it once is alright.

Bringing it back- somehow it feels heavier on the way back. John understands this and is one of the most supportive drivers. That means I don't want to give him extra work. He makes the job better. Lucky for me, he isn't the only one. Others might have too many large packages occasionally. He seems to receive a barrage every day.

Make the job worthwhile. A couple drivers complain. Not the frustration in the moment. They are surprised there is work every day. One justification I have heard drivers say when they have a busy day ahead- Job security. We are essential employees. Six months from a new contract the union is going to remind management of out contribution.

I worked every business day in 2020. I wasn't the only one. Work From Home- what is that? Dealing with many who had no concept of social distancing; many did and the friendly, personable, inspirational employees make the job worthwhile. Management only sees dollar signs. You can't take that with you.

You can always recall and cherish wonderful colleagues. My only wish is that everyone works at a comparable level. I aspire to achieve those heights myself.