Showing up for work? We see you!
Over the past several months we’ve all seen first hand the impact on businesses due to an inability to find employees. From banks to grocery stores to restaurants and the trucking industry, it’s changing the way business is conducted. Fewer staff translates to fewer hours and days a business is able to open its doors.
As customers we are feeling the inconvenience — after all isn’t everyone long overdue for a little bit of normal? But things aren’t normal and there’s no solution in the immediate future.
This summer I’ve had a number of conversations with servers, clerks and business owners in the course of being a customer. Those conversations often begin with me thanking whomever is serving us for showing up. It usually catches people by surprise to be thanked for coming to work.
When I say that I appreciate them showing up so we can enjoy a meal out or whatever it is, wherever we are in the role of customer, some interesting conversations have taken place. One young gal that I thanked for showing up visibly brightened. She said she had two hours to go on a 12-hour shift because two co-workers didn’t show up that day. Kind words, and a tip when applicable, go a long way in boosting the spirit.
It should be obvious, but unfortunately too many people haven't gotten or read the memo: most everything is going to take longer than it usually does. Getting an appointment to do anything or waiting in a longer line at the grocery store and being seated and served at a restaurant, all of that is not as it has been.
But here’s the thing … instead of fuming and venting, just take a deep breath and be grateful that there are people showing up to work every single day. Many of those showing up now have been showing up all along while others stayed home on unemployment.
We thank veterans, first responders and front liners for their service and rightfully so. I’m hoping in 2021 we can just as sincerely and enthusiastically thank people for showing up!
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In keeping with the theme of celebrating those who show up, the board and leadership of Heritage Health deserve kudos for recognizing the effect on morale that paying new hires a sign-on bonus can have on loyal existing staff … the people who have been in and stayed in the trenches throughout the pandemic and staff shortage. Those who have shouldered more duties and worked longer hours with fewer people to serve their clients.
Heritage Health departments include primary medical, dental services, pediatrics and adolescents, psychiatric and counseling services, post-acute care, substance abuse disorder, medication assisted treatment and health coverage. Their role in serving the under-served in our community is vital and inspiring.
The organization offers a $1,000 sign-on bonus for new hires but is also providing a $1,000 stay-on bonus for current employees. That’s how you create a team that feels valued and respected.
Well-played, Mike Baker and Heritage Health directors!
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Purple Heart Day is observed on Aug. 7, which is Saturday, and is a time for Americans to pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in service to America.
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Happy birthday today to Amy Evans, Jennifer Custer, Ben Fairfield, Jack Glinski, Sara McDrummand, Toni Caywood, Joel Bertsch, Michele Wood, Erin Delaney, Austin Viles and Amy Ford. Tomorrow Doris Weaver, Dave Holinka, Kristin Kilmer, Jonathan Thomas Burnett and Danna Ziegler celebrate.
On Friday Tracey Fouché, George Evjen, Brenda Knight, Rick Marshall, James Fulton, Shirleen Jacobs, Christine Maiani, Kelli Aiken and Tom Wood will toast another year. Bill Kinder, Cindi Wimmer, Greg Delavan, Bob Nonini, Billie Collins and Dan Dahl blow out the candles on Saturday. 8/8 birthdays will be celebrated by Roberta Larsen (85!), Sara Meyer, Jodi Anderson, Eli Yates, Jeff Humphrey, Ken McMeans, Virginia Griggs, Jim Hollingsworth, Jennifer Bokma, Heidi Phillips-Allen and Patty Collins.
On Monday Anne Anderson, Terry Morris, Jack Havens, Kyle Patterson and Christian Strailman celebrate the anniversary of their birth. On Tuesday Jeff Grundon, Caryl Johnston, Sydney Sales, Jeremy Morris, Chelsea Cordova, Bonita Koontz, Tim Symons and John Hammon take another trip around the sun.
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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.