Company Criticized for ‘Sad’ Retirement Party for Man Who Worked 42 Years on Minimum Wage

John Bartlett, a 70-year-old employee, worked tirelessly for over 42 years at the same company, commuting 40 minutes every day for a job that paid minimum wage.

Even though he gave decades of loyalty and dedication, the company’s farewell to him on his retirement day was disappointing. They held a small barbecue and gave him a certificate, but nothing more to acknowledge his long years of hard work.

One of John’s co-workers, Sonia, was upset by how the company treated him and decided to share his story. She posted a video on TikTok showing John walking around the warehouse on his last day, looking sad and down.

In the caption, she explained that John loved his job so much that he didn’t even want to retire, but after 42 years of work, all he got was a barbecue and a certificate.

Sonia also shared that John doesn’t drive because of a disability, so he always took the bus and train to work, no matter the weather. He was always on time and dependable.

She described him as one of the most talented and hardworking people at the company, someone whose energy and commitment were unmatched.

John never took time off unless it was absolutely necessary, showing how much he cared about his job.

The video quickly went viral, with hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of comments from people who were outraged by the company’s actions.

Many people wanted to do something to make John feel appreciated. This inspired Sonia to create a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for John so he could enjoy his retirement with some comfort.

On the fundraiser page, Sonia shared more about John’s life. She revealed that he has no wife or children but is very close to his nephew. She wanted to show John that he is special and loved, even if the company didn’t do much to recognize him.

She hoped the funds could help him have a more enjoyable retirement and find something meaningful to do.

The response to the fundraiser was incredible. Within just a few days, over $28,000 was donated—more money than John had saved in his retirement fund. Sonia was amazed by the kindness of strangers who wanted to support John.

She said she planned to share the good news with him and print out all the kind messages from the donors so he could see how much people appreciated his hard work and dedication.

John’s story touched the hearts of many people around the world. It’s a reminder of the importance of valuing and appreciating the contributions of hardworking individuals. Thanks to Sonia’s efforts and the generosity of so many, John can now enter retirement with the support and love he truly deserves.