If you work in a restaurant, fast food joint, pharmacy, or retail store in Connecticut, I want to say something unusual to you - thank you for going to work today.

Get our free mobile app

I've seen many haggard faces, wearily staring back at me from behind those counters and cash registers. You may have to deal with Karen after Karen, but I see what you're going through, and I appreciate you. Why am I doing this? Because of a conversation that I had at 5 this morning.

I stopped at a Dunkin' in Brookfield, and after a slight delay, the employee informed me that two people had called out, leaving her all alone, and had no one for backup. I felt so bad for her, but she said it was becoming more normal by the day. What has happened to work ethic? It's amazing how often I've heard 'No Call, No Show' blurted out after an apology.

What can you do in those situations? You work at a national retailer, and your human resources have dried up? The feeling of helplessness has got to be so overwhelming.

I saw another employee rage against the corporate machine on Torrington social media over the weekend in the Facebook group Original T-Town Chatter. An employee at my pharmacy, the CVS on Farley Place in Torrington, posted a warning. In it, the employee stated that due to a lack of pharmacy techs, cut hours, new patients and prescriptions, they were running 1200+ scripts behind, and to please be patient with them.

The next time that you have the urge to complain that whatever is taking too long, please keep in mind that most of these situations are out of the employee's control. Believe me, if they could get you out of there any quicker, they would.

Anyway, thank you for showing up to work today. I think you needed to hear that.

Food Truck Festivals Will Take Over Connecticut This Summer

We've finally figured out that the easiest way to attract a walk-up crowd to your event is hire a few food trucks. The Food Truck Festival circuit is hot for the Summer of 2023 Connecticut, here is a month-by-month breakdown of upcoming events.

The Most Expensive Steak Dinners in Connecticut

USDA Prime beef is typically the most expensive steak that you'll find on a menu, unless they serve Wagyu. Have you ever paid more than $100 for a steak? How about over $200? Here's the most expensive steak dinners that I could find in Connecticut

More From WRKI and WINE