“Everyone said that I was the backbone of the company. How could it still be in business?” retired employee Owen Mannow complained.

Mannow worked as a middle manager for thirty years and retired five years ago.

Mannow: “At my retirement party everyone told me how important I was and said things like, ‘I don’t know what we’ll do without you,’ and ‘you’re irreplaceable.’”

Reporter: “But you were replaced?”

Mannow: “By a high school kid in India. I retired on Friday and on Monday this kid is working remotely at half my salary.”

Reporter: “Surely, no one could pick up your responsibilities and work from home?”

Mannow: “True, but my Administrative Assistant told me that what this Singh kid doesn’t do didn’t need to be done. But I won an employee of the month plaque for doing that stuff.”

Reporter: “I’m sure you left a hole in the lives of the people you spent decades working with.”

Mannow: “My old office is a break room with a refrigerator, microwave and a Keurig Machine.”

Reporter: “Often companies that are struggling have to do some trimming.”

Mannow: “Sales are up and they’ve expanded.”

Reporter: “I’m sure they miss something…you did.”

Mannow: “Yeah. I brought donuts on Friday.”

Reporter: “There you go.”

Mannow: “Door Dash brings them now.”

Reporter: “Looks like our time is up.”

Mannow: “Want to play a game of checkers?”

Reporter: “I must be going.”

Mannow: “Pickleball?”

Reporter: “Thanks for your time.”

Reporter: “I’m going to Costco. Wanna come? Get some free samples?”

Reporter: “Bye.”