It's a long one, TL;DR at the end. An old coworker, Jack (fake name) recently passed and I thought I would share a story that changed my perception of working, permission was granted by his widow to share the story.
About 6 or 7 years ago, I was in between permanent positions and my temp agency asked if I was willing to do a short-term contract (like 12 weeks) for an insurance company. “Company A” had me covering back-end office work: making copies, sorting mail, database updates, etc. I started and quickly got to work on a long backlist of work. Whenever I had trouble finding something, everyone's response was always “Ask Jack.”
At first, I was at a desk close to the front of the office but was moved and found myself sitting next to Jack in the back corner. While my visits with Jack were brief, it wasn't until I spend time next to him that I really got to know him. Jack called himself the old office curmudgeon, just working until he could get his retirement. He promised to take his wife on a Hawaiian Cruise and spend more time with his daughter and grandkids. Jack was in his mid -the 60s and a veteran (he never told me which branch or his service).
Jack was a claims specialist for Company A, but I found that he knew all the clientele and outside vendors. Jack could negotiate and settle claims better than anyone else at the office. Jack had been with the company for 25 years or so. He never wanted the authority of being a manager, just wanted to do his job and go home. His manager, “Ben” (fake name) just lets Jack do his thing.
I noticed that Jack always worked through lunch and left the office on Tuesdays at 4 pm without fail. The rest of the office was on a loose 8 -5 schedule and it was a laid-back atmosphere, so no tension was placed on it. I was curious, but it was not my business, so I just happily said goodbye to Jack whenever he would leave.
I was asked to stay extend my contract for another two months and work on another project for the company. I agreed and quickly found out it was because the business had been sold to new owners. I would be helping with archiving old documents and systems reporting to a Transition Manager, “Elane” (fake name) for my marching orders.
Changes came quickly, company policies mostly stayed the same or were grandfathered in with new ones. The exception was work hours. Everyone worked 8-5, with no OT, and any changes in the schedule were to be approved by management.
New managers and staff were hired and teams became a blend of old and new coworkers. Jack was moved out of Ben's team to a new manager “Jamie” (fake name). Jack had a quick meeting with Jamie and Ben but was back to doing his thing.
One day around 4:15 pm on a Tuesday, Elane asked me a question about a system I wasn't fully trained in, I told her that it was an older claims system and Jack would be able to answer it. Jack was already gone for the day, and Elane was fuming.
Our conversation went something like this: “Do you know where Jack is?” Elane asked me. “No, but he always leaves right at 4 on Tuesdays,” I replied. “Why does he leave early?” Elane questioned. “I have no idea, not my business and I didn't ask,” I answered.
Elanie would continually walk past Franks's desk to check that he was working and would question me if he wasn't at his desk. Elanie would storm off to Jamie's office and yelling was always heard. Elane was working for the “head of the company” and liked to use that authority to push people around and point out policy violations.
Jack came in one Wednesday morning and was quickly called into the HR office for an hour. I also got an email from my company stating they were going to schedule a meeting with Company A HR, as they would like my statement. A representative from my temp company would dial in on the phone for the meeting.
I went into the conference room at the appointed time and was asked a slew of questions about Jack:
Q: “Was he working when he was at his desk?” A: “The best I can tell, yes”
Q: ” Did I notice Jack leave early on other days besides Tuesdays?” A: “No”
Q: “Did I do any of Jack's work for him?” A: “No”
Elane was getting frustrated and blurted out, “You know that Jack was leaving early on Tuesdays to visit his disabled son at the center down the street. I know that you covered for him! Jack took advantage of your sweet nature and willingness to help with his sob story.”
The HR lady just looked at Elane in surprise and the representative from my temp company audibly gasped. I answered, “I have already told you, Elane, I didn't know anything about why Jack left at 4 every day it wasn't my business.”
My temp company representative asked me to leave the room and go back to work. I heard rough whispers and some harsh arguments when I was walking away.
Elane stormed out of the room behind me, walked up to Jack's desk, and yelled at him, “You are using this story of a disabled son to take advantage of leaving early! I bet you don't even have a son. The owners will hear of this.” Everyone in the office stopped dead in their tracks and just stared at Elane who had a smug look on her face. Elane walked back to her office as happy as a clam. I saw Jack gripping the edge of his desk the entire time. He got up from his desk, phone in hand, and made some calls.
I received an email from my temp agency that what I heard was not to be repeated or talked about as it was a violation of HIPPA.
For the next few days, Elane harassed me when I worked with her about how “Jack had it coming”. I canceled my contract that week. I wasn't going to put up with someone who was that toxic.
Jack reached out to me a week later and asked if I would be willing to provide a written statement for him on what happened. I quickly told him, yes, but he never needed my statement.
Jack being the great negotiator he was, ended up getting a great severance package, and full retirement benefits (even though it was early retirement), and Elane was fired from her position.
Company A lost a lot of clientele and vendors for screwing over Jack and the company was eventually sold to one of its competitors.
I became friends with Jack on Facebook where he posted pictures of his 3-week Hawaiian cruise with his wife, pictures of his daughter and grandkids, and pictures of him playing chess or cards with his son every Tuesday. Jack passed away from cancer but I was told he was happy and surrounded by friends and family. His widow and family were well taken care of.
TL;DR Jack knew his worth and how to do his job well. When he got HIPPA rights violated by a toxic manager, he negotiated a severance and retirement package for damages done. The company lost a lot of clientele and business because of their mistreatment of Jack. You don't have to work in a toxic work environment, don't settle for less than your worth.