Stepping aside after 30 years
RUSSELL Young can count himself as one of the city’s most loyal employees
Nearly 30 years ago, Mr Young walked through the door for his first day on the job at Pillowtalk, never imagining he would embark on a three-decade long career.
Mr Young, while not technically calling it quits, is emotional about leaving the place he calls home.
The veteran store manager is taking up a reduced-hours role in the sales department as he nears retirement.
“I know in my heart-of-hearts when I walk out of the door for the last time I will feel a little bit sad,” Mr Young said.
“Sad - but at the same time excited. You can’t go on forever.”
When Mr Young began his career with Pillowtalk, the Toowoomba store was one of eight in the country at the time.
Now the company has more than 60 stores Australia-wide.
What has kept him around, clocking in and out of the same job all this time is pretty simple.
“I enjoyed my job,” Mr Young said.
“I worked with great people and I know it sounds corny and what-have-you but I never got up in the morning and thought ‘oh God I have to go to work’.”
On the agenda for Mr Young in his spare time is some much-needed DIY around the house, quality time with his grandchildren and improving his golf handicap.
With more time on the greens looming, Mr Young will miss one thing in particular about his job.
“I will miss the people,” he said.
“I will miss the people I work with because because they have been my friends as much as they have been my work colleagues.”
Mr Young’s last day as store manager at Pillowtalk will be in February 2018.