While many companies are struggling to find employees, a septuagenarian from Quebec shines with her desire to help her “second family”, not hesitating to come out of retirement each year to lend a hand during the Holidays.
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“She is irreplaceable with her smile, her availability and her good humour… She knows the company like the back of her hand, she really is a diamond in the rough, a pearl!” says Jinny Sanschargin, marketing director of the Kirouac group.
Zita Baker – or Mrs. B. for close friends – worked at the Clubtoy store in Quebec City from its opening in 1992 until about ten years ago, when she retired.
But she has not ceased to be involved with the organization. Each year, the 78-year-old woman – who is far from her age – frees up all her weekends in November and December to take care of web orders.
“It makes me feel good and it helps them during this busy period! I never came to work reluctantly,” says Ms. Baker, who plans to return every year, “as long as health permits.”
A solution to the shortage?
This type of labor is increasingly sought after by merchants who are struggling to recruit and retain their employees. Many companies are courting retirees to fill the approximately 250,000 positions that were vacant in the province last August.
“We have a few seniors who work – and worked – for us. They are very dedicated. What is good in the case of Mrs. B., is that we do not need to train her, we save a lot of time on that,” says Mrs. Sanschagrin.
For many seniors, this return to the labor market can also be attractive, as they are entitled to certain tax benefits.
For her part, Mrs. Baker finds her account in the valuation that she obtains thanks to this small job, even if water has flowed under the bridges since she entered Club Toy.
Head full of memories
From the opening of the store on a cold October morning in 1992, wrapped in her coat because the doors were still not installed, to the arrival of an automated system, the septuagenarian saw the company evolve over the years. year.
“At one time, I had to remember the codes of the 25,000 items we had in store for the checkout. I had the code book on my bedside table, which I read before going to bed,” she laughs.
Although she admits having had more difficulty adapting to the arrival of technology, that did not prevent her from getting involved with the organization for nearly three decades.
“It’s really like a second family to me,” concludes Ms. Baker.