Today is my five-year anniversary at work. This is the longest I have worked in one place in my entire life.
I mentioned this fact to a few people at the office today. I thought maybe they would get me a card and a bottle of wine or something. Or at least treat me to lunch. But it seems working in the same place for five years isn’t a big deal to anyone but me.
At lunch, I joined a few work people who were heading across the street to grab some wraps. Since no one stepped up to offer to buy me a wrap, I asked if I could get everyone’s stamps on my card (if you collect 10 stamps, your 11th wrap is free). They agreed to that, seeing as how it was my five-year anniversary and all. Cheapskates!
What do they give people on their 10-year anniversary? A bic pen and some Subway stamps? Maybe it’s a generational thing. Most people my age don’t stay in one place until retirement.
Before this, the longest I had ever worked in one place was three years, which seemed like an eternity at the time. People in their early 20s just didn’t do that sort of thing.
It’s amazing to think five years has gone by. It seems like yesterday when I arrived in Vancouver knowing no one but Steve Chao who let me live with him for a few weeks until I found an apartment.
The funny thing is today isn’t even supposed to be my real anniversary. I arrived in Vancouver on March 28. I called my new boss the next day to let him know I was in town. He asked if I would mind starting on March 30, an entire week early. So I did. And here I am.
9 comments:
Trust me, no one cares how long you've been somewhere as long as you're doing what you're supposed to be doing it's alright by them.
I've worked for Starbucks for 8 years now, that's a long time. I'm 26. I'm going up to Whitehorse to open the first store in the Yukon market.
Anyhow, back to my point. 5 years at Starbucks I recieved a 'Cross' pen with a small Starbucks logo on it... just incase I hadn't seen enough of the logo in the last 5 years.
I mean, what would David Suzuki want you to have for 5 years of dedication? Perhaps he's planted a tree for you and you just don't know it yet.
Hmmm, wraps are expensive, eat them up ;) Good job!
So it's normal that no one cares? That's kind of what I was wondering. Is it normal not to get anything for 5 years of service?
I guess I've just watched too many movies where people get gold watches and stuff. I'm not really expecting anything. Just wondering if it's the norm (hey, this is the first place I've worked five years...I didn't know what to expect).
Sarah Marchildon
The last company I worked for gave out extra vacation days - one for every year over five years that you were there. I think that was a pretty sweet deal, but I don't know how normal that is considered.
Oh yeah. I forgot about that! I got an extra week vacation this year (I'm up to four weeks now). So I guess I did get something after all. Duh!
Sarah
Four weeks, that's great! I've always envied the Europeans and their standard 5-6 week vacations. Now that's living.
Maybe I should move to Europe...
Sarah
Sarah, I think you are looking for the recognition you should receive after twenty-five years in only five years of work. Five years is not that impressive. Or were you just short on something else to write about? What? No Schiavo? Or the ailing Pope?
I know, I know :)
I'm intentionally not writing about Schiavo or the Pope.
Sarah
A watch? That's so awesome. Can you get me a job at the Post too? I still got nothing...
Sarah
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