Irreplaceable (Kind Of)

It is with much sadness that Rachel Quinn leaves her job in retail to pursue a career in the medical field. Management has very kindly reached out to say that Rachel is one employee who could never be replaced!

Oh wait, strike that. What they actually mean is that, for budgetary reasons, Rachel won't be replaced.

Rachel Quinn began her work for wholesale warehouse retailer Priced Less four years ago as a part time cashier and quickly worked her way up to full-time merchandiser of the Home Essentials department. Now however, Rachel has gotten a job in her chosen field of hospital administration and management could not be happier for her!

Correction: What management actually said is that they were happy to have Rachel's salary off their payroll.

“We’re all very happy for Rachel,” says assistant manager Paul Curtis, “and I know the entire management believes there will never be another Rachel!”

Correction: What management meant was that the position of full-time Home Essentials merchandiser would not be backfilled.

“I was thinking of applying for Rachel’s position once she leaves,” says sales associate Joe Mamet. “I heard they think I’m ready to follow in her footsteps and I’d love the chance to prove myself!”

Correction: Management only meant that Joe’s position, were anything unforeseen to happen to him, would not be backfilled either.

“I’m really sorry to leave this place,” says Rachel, “but I can’t let this opportunity go to waste. I am going to miss working here though. They really do make you feel valued here, and you can’t really say that about a lot of workplaces these days.”

Correction: Priced Less values Rachel at just above minimum wage at a salary determined by corporate accountants and HR analysts to be just barely enough to prevent workers from walking out or organizing.

“We really do have a tight-knit crew here,” she continues, “almost like a family. They even had pizza and donuts on my last day!”

Correction: The pizza and donuts were from a management meeting earlier in the day, the discussion of which centered around using staff cuts to exceed financial goals for a higher management bonus payout, and the leftovers were put out for the staff.

“We’re all sad to see her go,” says assistant manager Paul Curtis. “It’s going to be tough to work here without her.”

Correction: The reason it’s going to be tough is because staff from adjacent departments will have to pick up the slack for Home Essentials with no additional resources.

“Don’t get me wrong,” says Rachel, “I am glad to be getting out of retail, but it really sucks to walk out of here for the last time. I don’t know what my new employer will be like, but Priced Less really does care about the people who work for them.”

Correction: They do not.

While Rachel is the one moving on to a new career full of possibilities, some of the coworkers she leaves behind, albeit sad, are hopeful as well.

“It sucks she’s leaving,” says sales associate Joe Mamet, “and I really hope that when I’ve been here as long as she has that they feel as warmly toward me.”

Correction: Joe was let go shortly after giving this interview.