A Day in the Life of a Banker

I am jolted awake by the concerned voice of my husband speaking to my co-workers. It is 10 A.M., and I am an hour late for my shift at the bank! I jump out of bed and get ready in a frenzy of cloth and various scented gels while my husband shoves food in a bag for me.

This is so unusual for me. I am never late; I also never sleep.

I pull into work at 10:30, feeling like emotional garbage. My poor co-workers! My heart drops when I see my boss, who actually had the day off, standing where I should have been for an hour and a half. My heart drops to the floor. I can't believe I inconvenienced such a wonderful person!

My co-worker gives me a big hug, and they both tell me how glad they are I'm ok. No punishment, which I know I deserve. Just concern and relief.

I am reminded yet again how Washington Trust Bank is more of a family than a business.

I just love my job!

I have always been a hard worker. Ever since I was 14 I have been working hard to support myself and others. I have also chosen lower paying jobs as well, because they are important to the community. Giving back to the city I live in, helping those less fortunate than myself, has always been a priority for me. Of course, I would often have to take second or third jobs in customer or food service in order to make ends meet.

I am no stranger to long days filled with bone breaking work. Literally bone breaking, actually.

While I have always been fulfilled by my career choices, I have not always been treated well. Many charitable organizations have CEO's and Chairs who actually do not care. I have watched my bosses steal from the poor and then blame me so I am fired. I have seen greedy executives strip budgets so they can stuff their own pockets. I have dealt with poorly managed organizations that could be so wonderful if they only cared about what they are doing.

Being the only one in the room who actually cares to help others is a gut wrenching experience, and all too common.

I don't always blame them. It is just so hard to be immersed in all that suffering day in and day out. It is easy to become burnt out and emotionally exhausted.

I do blame the greedy robber-barons, however. They can go straight to heck!

Back to my story- I was fast approaching my 40's, and could no longer stand the back breaking work and crazy long days. I hated leaving my positions where I can help others, but I needed a nice stable desk job where I can take care of myself for once in my life. I had just been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, after all, and was feeling very, very weak. I had no savings and was currently surviving off food stamps and housing, which is just no way to live if you can help it.

So, I applied at WTB. I had been a customer of theirs since I was 12, and I knew them to be a friendly and reliable company. If I was good at one thing, it was money and budgeting, so I thought it would be a great fit!

Oh boy was it! I wasn't perfect, of course, but I fit like a boot on a beggar. I was so nervous I would not have anything in common with my new co-workers since they were so fancy and successful and I was just a weirdo who didn't have any solid experience. I continued to be worried until someone was joking with me about something weird I said, and followed it up with "that's ok, we are all a little weird here".

I felt seen and heard. It was wonderful, and quite possibly the first time for me. In my previous jobs I had little to no recognition for the work I did. I was just an invisible cog in a huge machine. I didn't much care for recognition, since that wasn't why I worked so hard. I did it to help others, end of list.

It felt nice to be seen, however. Really nice, actually.

I started branching out and contacting other departments and employees. Turns out there was a large community to access right at my fingertips! They ran wellness activities, volunteer programs, DEI (diversity, Equity, Inclusion) meetings, events for charity, and just friendly banter chat rooms. I joined them all!

I became active in the community again, and was PAID for it as well! I worked with others who actually cared about the community they served. I attended events with others who had similar difficult childhoods and were eager to give back now that they had become successful. I was welcome at the table in fancy events with several forks next to my plate, and was made to feel welcome as well.

All of my co-workers, both those I have met in person and those I only speak to online, have been kind and supportive. I find that I have much more motivation to show up to work every day, especially on days like today where I am inexcusably late. I enjoy my co-workers, my work, my volunteering, and am even starting to plan a charitable event with the resources of the bank.

For once in my life, I am getting as much as I give. I go to bed every night feeling happy and fulfilled. I look forward to going to work, not just because of the good I can do but because of the benefits I receive. My contributions and successes are celebrated, and my mistakes are treated as learning opportunities and not a chance to make me feel small. My presence is missed when I am not here. I am important and cherished.

Thank you, Washington Trust Bank, for giving me a home.

Enjoy these pictures of the happiest work environment!

Ok, enough pictures...though there are so many more I could post! Such a happy place to work!

wait...one more, then I promise I'm done: