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(Originally published on Medium on 07/05/2024)
I was at the local supermarket when I saw someone working there whom I knew quite well. Laura had told me that both she and her husband, Jim, had fallen on hard times. In addition to Jim’s rising medical bills, the cost of living would force her back into the workforce. Laura further stated that it was getting to the point of deciding either food or medicine for Jim. Laura is 81 years old. Jim is 80. Laura is in the workforce, she left behind 15 years ago. She never expected to come back. Laura was a retired state administrator in the Department of Transportation.
I wished her well as I left. I could tell she was in pain. Due to her frequent bathroom breaks, Laura also acknowledged that she was having trouble with her manager. It seems the supermarket would make exceptions due to someone’s age. They do not.
All this made me go to our pal, Google, to see if this is a recent trend of retirees returning to work out of necessity. This article stated that 85% of Americans consider inflation the #1 issue. Both parties had better take note of this. The article further stated that at least 40% of retirees are thinking of returning to work just to survive. I don’t know how accurate this is. But the article stated that, compared to just three years ago, the average American is paying over $1000 just to maintain their standard of living. At least as disturbing, Americans had to pay $277 more in March to purchase the same goods and services compared to just one year ago.
If retirees are struggling, how are people at the poverty level able to live? I have no idea. But that article was eye-opening, at least to me. Inflation is showing no signs of slowing down. So, 40% of retirees considering returning to work is probably a conservative number by now.
I can say I am paying more to live the same lifestyle I did just one year ago. I have cut back on spending as well. Yes, I prepared well for retirement. But I’m seeing warning signs in my bank account. So, I have cut back on eating out and other luxuries I took for granted in the past. With consumers cutting back, retailers are hurting as well. I have no plans to ever return to the workforce. But you never say no.
About 3 days after I saw Laura, she texted me to say she had been terminated due to excessive bathroom breaks. Of course, they had to throw in her work performance, which was said to be unsatisfactory. Laura said they had never mentioned anything about her work performance before. I am trying to get Laura to contact the state labor board about this. But she just wants to move on and get another job. I think that’s a mistake.
Retirees wanting to go back to work have to consider that employers are going to treat them just as they do their 20-something and 30-something employees. There has to be some allowance made for employees over 55. But I have yet to research this and see if it can be applied to Laura’s case and other retirees.
I’m hopeful that allowances can be made for any large number of retirees returning to the workforce. An 80-year-old is going to need more bathroom breaks than a 20-year-old. That should be common sense.
I work in a pub maybe 1-2 times a month as my friend owns it and its hard to get help - I only hostess and its fun Im so blessed to have saved and have a pension - but my young friends have no savings - its going to be so hard for them sad
Really sad story. I work with quite a few retirees and being adequately prepared takes hard work and discipline.
But even then, sometimes life just throws a curveball at you…