A MegaCorp colleague that I’m friends with on Facebook just posted that she had reached her 39th work anniversary.
Amazing – 39 years!
I was a bit surprised as I thought she had retired soon after I did. Her & her husband had moved to Florida, so I figured she had moved on. Apparently she is just working ‘remotely’ at the job she has had for a long time, albeit far away from what is commonly called the the ‘MGO’ … MegaCorp’s ’Main General Office’.
As someone who stopped drawing a paycheck almost 5 years ago, it’s hard to know how to react to people have such long, loyal careers. I see the work anniversary notifications for colleagues who are still clocking forward on LinkedIn all of the time.
Related: Hardly LinkedIn Anymore
Many people I worked with have surpassed 30 years of work and some of the younger people who once worked for me now have had careers longer than my own. One woman I knew early in my career reached her 55th work anniversary – one of the longest in MegaCorp history.
I sometimes think about making a self-deprecating comment about my obvious laziness when I see these announcements, but I don’t want to seem like I am making their post ‘about me’. I just check the ‘Like’ button, say ‘Congrats’, and move on.
The fact is, I can’t really relate to the pride people have in reaching such lofty anniversaries and will never have that experience myself. Of course, they won’t ever have my early retirement experience either.
I won’t be too disappointed with that trade off … 🙂
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
Image Credit: Pixabay
MrFireStation 
Thanks for posting this! I’m 51 years old and have 29 years with my current employer. I’m in a senior executive role which I’ve enjoyed immensely but in recent times have a very difficult boss that makes my life miserable. Financially I believe I’m ready to roll but feel like I need to make it to that 30 year mark which is a year from now. It’s more of a mental thing for me – that somehow I will feel like I left unfinished business if I don’t make it to 30. But is my sanity worth it? Or knowing that I only have a year can I just ride it out and not let this man be the death of me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats, Jules – that’s great that you reached FI and now get to plan your exit. While 30 is a nice, big, round number – I’m not sure if that is worth staying for, unless there is a financial benefit that kicks in at that point. I too, was a corporate officer at a large food company and had a really fun job. That said, I often say now, “I miss the people, but not the work”. You might also find that your ‘unfinished business’ wasn’t really worth finishing. Regardless, enjoy your final lap around the block!
LikeLike
It’s funny the amount of significance we can put into numeric milestones like reaching a 30-year milestone. The notion that you have “unfinished business” because you “only” made it 29 years is ironic in a way: if you think of all of the people you’ve seen come and go from the company over those decades, many of whom I’m sure you think very highly of and had tremendous impact, I can’t see how you could feel you have anything left to “finish” after 29 years of commitment and service.
What you’ve done is rare and remarkable, and I promise you no one else will look at a 29-year tenure with anything but awe and gratitude! Stay if it makes you happy, not because of a silly number or an even sillier notion that leaving will somehow tarnish all you’ve given to and accomplished for your organization!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well put!
LikeLike
Onward & Upward, Chief!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow 55 years that’s two life sentences! If you love your job I don’t see any issues with that.
After I first learned about the FIRE movement and reading stories of 30 and 40 year olds retiring, I felt bad for starting so late. Looks like I will be leaving at 50 years old with 30 years of service (need the age and 30 years service to avoid pension penalties). When looking at the general population retiring at 50 is still early so no complaining here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t seen official numbers, but I estimated once that only about 2% of people retire at 50, so that’s a small club to be in. It’s about 15% at age 55 and 50% is age 62.
LikeLike
I’m always amazed at how fast large organizations move on after a very experienced person leaves the organization. Today, it feels like the organization has moved on after 1-2 days post the announcement. A decade ago, it felt like there was a much longer and more pronounced knowledge transfer phase. It’s a good reminder that when you’re ready to leave, there’s no time like the present.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I gave 45 days notice because I had a vacation planned in the middle. It wasn’t until the final week that they announced my ‘backfill’. I had a great team and handed responsibilities to them for almost everything by that point.
LikeLike
I recently retired after 17 years with the same company and, although many people shared the generous sentiment of “what will we do without your knowledge and experience?,” that same experience tells me that, as you said, the organization will move on very quickly. I saw it with a number of equally experienced folks (including founders) who left before me.
I always joked that, after I depart, I expect (and demand!) that my name will be invoked primarily when they are assigning blame for the crisis du’jour! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on your recent retirement- hope things are going well for you in this unusual year! I agree – companies are very resilient and figure out how to move forward. And, yes – it’s very convenient to blame the person who just left for any troubles that arise!! 😉
LikeLike