My last night shift EVER!

[Fiddler]

I emptied my locker. I declined an exit interview and the email "exit survey" that HR had sent. I listened to the wisdom of the forum. Let it go. I let it go. I left, quietly. Anti-climatic. I was walking to the parking lot (it was still dark so early in the morning). and heard someone call my name It was my last manager. A great guy. My salvation.. as the last two and a half years I have been a productive employee under his leadership and benefiting from his effective management in my shift job, after finally getting a transfer to 12 hour shifts.

He said he heard I was retiring soon, I told him it was my last night shift. He said some very nice things and congratulated me on retirement. And shook my hand.

He recently got a promotion this month and no longer manages a rotating shift crew. The company has promoted him to the next level. A well deserved promotion.

I drove home. I had a great career. And the people that mattered to me appreciated me.
I felt good. I am so thankful for the opportunities I had in the company. And now my bad experience with HR is shelved...Because the good managers in production appreciated and respected me, as did my co-workers.

Thanks for all the advice
Now... for the next stage of my life.

 

[REWahoo]

I declined an exit interview and the email "exit survey" that HR had sent. I listened to the wisdom of the forum. Let it go. I let it go. I left, quietly.

Well done!!!!

 

[MichaelB]

I emptied my locker. I declined an exit interview and the email "exit survey" that HR had sent. I listened to the wisdom of the forum. Let it go. I let it go. I left, quietly. Anti-climatic. I was walking to the parking lot (it was still dark so early in the morning). and heard someone call my name It was my last manager. A great guy. My salvation.. as the last two and a half years I have been a productive employee under his leadership and benefiting from his effective management in my shift job, after finally getting a transfer to 12 hour shifts.

He said he heard I was retiring soon, I told him it was my last night shift. He said some very nice things and congratulated me on retirement. And shook my hand.

He recently got a promotion this month and no longer manages a rotating shift crew. The company has promoted him to the next level. A well deserved promotion.

I drove home. I had a great career. And the people that mattered to me appreciated me.
I felt good. I am so thankful for the opportunities I had in the company. And now my bad experience with HR is shelved...Because the good managers in production appreciated and respected me, as did my co-workers.

Thanks for all the advice
Now... for the next stage of my life.

Hopefully, this will help you keep the positive memories as you ease into retired life. Congratulations!

 

[pb4uski]

Well done!!!!

+1 Doing it with style and grace.

 

[Bestwifeever]

So happy to read this. Enjoy the next chapter!

 

[Walt34]

+1 Doing it with style and grace.

Indeed.

I understand about midnight shifts, I worked rotating shifts for 18 years. Six months after I got a straight day work position people who hadn't seen me since then all said "You look a lot better". I felt better too. It wasn't until then that I fully realized how much shift work takes out of you.

Hopefully the same thing will happen to you.

 

[Tyrobi]

I drove home. I had a great career. And the people that mattered to me appreciated me.
I felt good. I am so thankful for the opportunities I had in the company. And now my bad experience with HR is shelved...Because the good managers in production appreciated and respected me, as did my co-workers.

Thanks for all the advice
Now... for the next stage of my life.

That's awesome! Congrats!

 

[W2R]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Now the fun begins.

 

[Midpack]

+8. I managed a 24/7 operation and was on call 24/7 most of my career, both 8 & 12 hour shifts. I also worked a locked second (3-11p) shift for 6 months, it was enlightening - and tough. I hope and suspect the OP will really enjoy retiring to a locked daylight shift. Shift work is tough, and it doesn't get easier with age IME.

 

[hankster]

Congrats! I've dealt with shift work for most of the last 40 years and am looking forward to leaving it behind later this year.

 

[euro]

Congrats and good for you to take the high road!

 

[ls99]

Well done. Begin to enjoy life.

I had done the same pleasant unheralded walkout.

The drive home was magnificent. By the way as I remember w*rking several years of night shift, it sucked big time. The only benefit was, no suits to get underfoot.

 

[Rickt]

Congratulations Fiddler!
Best wishes for a great retirement.

 

[Redbugdave]

What a great end, Fiddler. Most of my career was rotating shift work, too. I also left with little fanfare and no animosity. Leaving shift work and the job behind was like living in a black and white world all those years, then suddenly seeing in color.

 

[haloFIRE]

Happy for you!!!

 

[Yarnstormer]

Congrats! Sounds like the perfect low key exit.

 

[rodi]

Congratulations Fiddler. I think your issues with the former manager/hr rep will fade away quickly now that you're retired. Have a great retirement!

 

[MRG]

Congratulations. Well done.

 

[Mdlerth]

Good on You!

Well done, Fiddler. There is a recent thread going on about class... You've got it.

Now enjoy yourself, and keep posting.

 

[Calico]

Well done, Fiddler. There is a recent thread going on about class... You've got it.

Now enjoy yourself, and keep posting.

I think this sums it up perfectly!

Fiddler, that was a classy way to leave. Enjoy the next chapter of your life.

 

[kimcdougc]

Congrats Fiddler! You will soon realize, all the bad stuff doesn't matter anymore. Way to leave the job. Shows class.

Welcome to the rest of your life!

 

[devans0]

I worked shift work for my entire working life. My hat is off to all who have done that. Taking the high road is a great start to your next phase. Congrats.

 

[brucethebroker]

Indeed.

I understand about midnight shifts, I worked rotating shifts for 18 years. Six months after I got a straight day work position people who hadn't seen me since then all said "You look a lot better". I felt better too. It wasn't until then that I fully realized how much shift work takes out of you.

Hopefully the same thing will happen to you.

I worked a couple of night shift jobs in college. I really missed the 3 hour card games after moving on.............

 

[samsterdog]

Excellent post Fiddler.

 

[Quest4Fire]

Nice post. Grin.