Why are people not showing up to work? I finally get it. 

After numerous job offers, I’d show up to the first day of work — sometimes not really met with a smile or handshake. A training in a windowless room with not even a bottled water as a welcome offering. Not even told where to use the restroom. And that was the first day. The second day was comprised of training videos of what to do in case of an active shooter. I can count on one hand how many nightmares I had after those videos and presentations. 

As an educated person (with a master’s degree in psychology), I thought I was pretty tough to withstand today’s environment of the workforce. I am not. Tears and nightmares have been my prelude to offer my termination time and time again. So, I want to thank those Mainers who have chosen and stuck with working. And, I am sympathetic to those who could not. 

Things were different in the workplace eight years ago. And even through my career many things have changed. Mainers are resilient.

I applaud those getting up today and now have a greater understanding why many might not.

Melissa Jackson
Oxford