Article published Dec 23, 2013 as part of a monthly workers' compensation column in the Barre Time Argus and The Rutland Herald posted with permission
Workers’ Comp Corner: ‘Twas the work day before Christmas
By JOHN W. VALENTE
Twas two days before Christmas, when all though the
corridors, the employees were hurrying to complete all the orders.
The call centers were busy, as the phones they would ring,
supervisors were shouting, “Making quota’s the thing!”
When out in the warehouse, there arose such a clatter,
folks looked up from their work, to see what was the matter.
The lights that shone down, on the shelves and the aisles,
outlined the best worker, lying flat on the tiles.
With a face that looked pained, and tears on a cheek,
it appeared she had slipped on some liquid that leaked.
“What happened? What happened? What’s that spill on the ground?”
“And look at the product, piled up all around.”
The supervisor took charge and helped out the worker,
he tried to figure out what had happened that hurt her.
And then in a twinkling, we heard all around,
the bells as they jingled, when the sleigh hit the ground.
It seems that ol’ Santa was watching the plight,
of the people at work in the warehouse that night.
He was dressed with a hard hat, and safety eye glasses,
as he strode though the doors and walked by the masses.
His face was concerned as he looked up and down,
while the ends of his mouth, descended down in a frown.
His eyes did not twinkle, his belly did not shake,
he realized at once, just what was at stake.
The first thing they did, was wipe the tears from her face,
and sent her off to the doctor to get checked, just in case.
He had them remove all the piles and clean up the spill,
making sure that they knew he meant them no ill.
But reminding each worker and supervisor, too,
that while it may be very busy, they know what to do.
Without making quota, good profits are rare,
but the more that we hurry the more we must care.
And watch for our safety and that of our friends,
while working together, for all of our ends.
He sprang to his sleigh, and nodded his head,
the reindeer shot forward, Rudolph’s nose glowing red.
But I heard him explain as he soared with his haul,
“Don’t forget to be safe, and Merry Christmas to all.”
John W. Valente is an attorney with Ryan Smith & Carbine in Rutland. He is the author of “Understanding Workers’ Compensation: Managing Workplace Injuries and Lowering Costs.”
The call centers were busy, as the phones they would ring,
supervisors were shouting, “Making quota’s the thing!”
When out in the warehouse, there arose such a clatter,
folks looked up from their work, to see what was the matter.
The lights that shone down, on the shelves and the aisles,
outlined the best worker, lying flat on the tiles.
With a face that looked pained, and tears on a cheek,
it appeared she had slipped on some liquid that leaked.
“What happened? What happened? What’s that spill on the ground?”
“And look at the product, piled up all around.”
The supervisor took charge and helped out the worker,
he tried to figure out what had happened that hurt her.
And then in a twinkling, we heard all around,
the bells as they jingled, when the sleigh hit the ground.
It seems that ol’ Santa was watching the plight,
of the people at work in the warehouse that night.
He was dressed with a hard hat, and safety eye glasses,
as he strode though the doors and walked by the masses.
His face was concerned as he looked up and down,
while the ends of his mouth, descended down in a frown.
His eyes did not twinkle, his belly did not shake,
he realized at once, just what was at stake.
The first thing they did, was wipe the tears from her face,
and sent her off to the doctor to get checked, just in case.
He had them remove all the piles and clean up the spill,
making sure that they knew he meant them no ill.
But reminding each worker and supervisor, too,
that while it may be very busy, they know what to do.
Without making quota, good profits are rare,
but the more that we hurry the more we must care.
And watch for our safety and that of our friends,
while working together, for all of our ends.
He sprang to his sleigh, and nodded his head,
the reindeer shot forward, Rudolph’s nose glowing red.
But I heard him explain as he soared with his haul,
“Don’t forget to be safe, and Merry Christmas to all.”
John W. Valente is an attorney with Ryan Smith & Carbine in Rutland. He is the author of “Understanding Workers’ Compensation: Managing Workplace Injuries and Lowering Costs.”
