My Last Ten Days

One year later we look back at my final days working for WIS International as it merged with RGIS. What would the future hold for me? Would I stay on with the Traditional side or eventually transfer over to Dollar with everyone else? Or would I leave the company after a dozen years and start anew? Decisions decisions.

Before I look back on my final days at WIS, I need some context as to when the news of the merger broke and the events leading up to the breakup of our office.

It’s June 2021 and we are in West Mifflin. We finished the inventory for one of the many Targets we counted in the Pittsburgh market. The bosses and our supervisors were talking about news of the merger between WIS and its biggest competitor, RGIS, as the former bought out the latter. It was the biggest news for the company in over 15 years (when Washington and Western merged to form WIS).

For most of the summer, everything remained quiet. By September was when the rumblings began. People began to learn their assignments and if they would be counting big box stores or dollar stores. For me, I would be one of the few who would be going over to the traditional side.

Our last day as office 3609 was emotional and the end of an era. We were breaking up into a new team. For me I was losing my family and support system (I had come out as non in 2021 and wasn’t sure how the new crew would react to my sexuality). But there would be hope.

I began my short lived Traditional career with a Shop n Save in Penn Hills and an easy Pharmacy in Homewood. The inconsistent hours and travel had gotten to me and I knew I couldn’t make the next day’s Lowe’s in DuBois.

I got to experience CVS and that was the one bright shining moment in my tenure. The twilight of my WIS career would include Rite Aids with familiar equipment and even more familiar faces.

The first week was rough but I survived. I also put in applications to work at Goodwill that week and gave some thought to applying at Giant Eagle.

The second week saw me attend Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters and have lunch with some friends afterwards at Chen’s. Next day I made plans to attend the red carpet event for the new Laurel Highlands Toastmasters club at the Carnegie Library in Connellsville. I put in my applications at Giant Eagle, did a video interview, and did an in person interview at Giant Eagle.

I also made plans for Friendsgiving the weekend before Thanksgiving with my sisters.

The third and final week put me on those Rite Aids I knew well. Plus it was all WIS, no RGIS assists like last week. The penultimate inventory for me was in Mount Pleasant and Zach ran it. Nice to be close to home. My final inventory would be in Rochester (PA) with Maura.

I was on the phone doing an interview with a Giant Eagle recruiter and scheduling an interview for Goodwill in North Versailles. I also drove up to Eastgate Giant Eagle. I didn’t have an interview that day but I chatted with the HR guy whom I’d eventually train with next week.

My last inventory was WIS was done around 11:30. The drive home was bittersweet. I passed by all the retail in Robinson and went through both tunnels for the last time working for WIS. I traveled many miles for the company in 13 years and now it was time for a change.

That Friday I got the call from Giant Eagle that I was hired. I was out for a drive and on top of US 40 near Farmington when they called me and told me the good news. I would do paperwork and computer work (training) the next week.

End of an era indeed… and things are going well.