Lathrop (CA) employee gives up job so co-worker can keep hers

[Kadie]

Woman gives up job to save colleague's position



Like so many cities in America, one Northern California town is making painful fiscal cuts. Reeling from the foreclosure crisis, Lathrop decided to eliminate 11 city positions to help close its $1.5 mil deficit. Sharon Singleton, a 60-year-old accountant, was among the workers who were supposed to be let go this week. But then her colleague did something unexpected. Accounting technician Patricia Overy sacrificed her job so Singleton could keep hers.

Overy is a union shop steward and a mother of four. She said her husband, who works for the city of Tracy, supported her decision. "I felt I could cope with the loss of a job, perhaps better than my co-workers," she told News 10.

At a council meeting Monday night, Overy, who was praised by the mayor and applauded by the audience, gave a gracious farewell speech:

"My hope is that the community of Lathrop will survive this difficult economy, thank you."


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/scavenger/detail?entry_id=58345#ixzz0h9FHiWWV

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Lathrop employee gives up job so co-worker can keep hers

LATHROP, CA - In an economic downturn that has millions of people looking for work, a Lathrop city employee has willingly given up her job.

She's Patricia Overy, and she's worked in the city's finance department for seven years.

It was announced at Monday's city council meeting that she was leaving her position so another finance worker in her 60s could keep her job.

"I would like to thank the city of Lathrop for the career opportunities that have been made possible during my employment," said Overy.

Overy is a mother of four and made sure to check with her husband before giving up her employment so someone else could save their job. She figured she could cope better with the loss of a job and the search for a new one.

"I feel honored to have worked with everyone and to have the opportunity to help customers through difficult years," said Overy Monday night.

more...
http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=76420&catid=2

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. I saw the video earlier. Nice of her. Hope she finds another one soon.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. With this gesture in mind, I'm sure she will.

To be clear - I'm not at all saying that was her plan all along, but that will be the result. Who wouldn't hire someone like this if she's at all qualified?

[SoCalDem]

2. After the initial flurry of news about this, the 60 yr old will probably still get laid off

...The higher-ups decide who goes and who stays, and that 60 yr old will cost them more than dumping the extra work on the people they decide to keep