((L-R) Cody and North Albertson’s Manager Mike, photo Courtesy of Employment First Central Oregon)
It’s the season of thankfulness, and we try to be mindful of the things that matter: family, safety, friends, pumpkin spice lattes and Netflix. But does your job make the list? Are you really and truly grateful for employment, or is it something that simply achieves what you really want (pumpkin spice lattes and binge-worthy reruns)?
There are many people for whom employment brings an enormous sense of gratitude. After all, employment doesn’t just bring the independence of a paycheck. It gives individuals a place in the community, a place to go and meet people, and interact where they are valued and can contribute. As Cody, an employee of the Albertson’s at Third Street and Revere in Bend says, “This job has given me new meaning because I’m helping people. It’s not for the money, I needed to stay busy.” As his supervisor, Stephanie, the service operations manager, says, his “work ethic is superb.” She says “Other courtesy clerks have learned from Cody,” especially because she often uses him as the standard for what she is looking for in an employee in that position.
Stephanie believes that when companies employ a variety of personalities and lifestyles in their workforce, that diversity of employees can benefit a business. It can also benefit the community and the fortunate employees, and that seems like something to give thanks for during this thankful time of year.
Cody says he is “thankful that [he has]a place to go and do things that help other people. I like having a place that isn’t home but feels like home.” It also allows him to help out with the rent and other household expenses, in addition to supporting his passion of woodworking. Watching Cody at work, there’s barely a moment when he’s not moving and working hard, and customers and coworkers alike notice him hustling.
The store’s general manager, Mike Conner, feels that Cody is one terrific employee. “We are thankful to have an employee of Cody’s caliber. He sets a high bar for himself and for his coworkers. Any business would be grateful to have someone as motivated and dependable as Cody, and we value who he is as a team member. Our community is lucky to have him.”
