On Jan. 31, Deborah Ford will retire from the U.S. Postal Service after 44 years without using any of her sick days.

Though her colleagues and the local media, including the Detroit Free Press, applaud her level of commitment, Ford, 64, doesn't see what the big deal is.

Born and raised in Detroit, Ford will be retiring from her job in payroll and timekeeping management for the city's main post office.

"I was trying to do the best I could, and that just evolved into working all my scheduled days," Ford said.

Ford said when she was sick, she would simply "shake it off." For appointments, say, with the doctor, she would use vacation days.

"It's going to be tough to replace her - not only her attendance but her knowledge of the years she has done timekeeping," said Tony Carnagie, a financial programs compliance manager, who has worked with Ford for more than 15 years.

Most of Ford's co-workers knew about her track record, when the USPS awarded her for 30 years of service.

Ford said her father, who is 86 years old and never took a sick days in 30 years, also doesn't see what the fuss is about.

"It's just part of our work ethic," she said.

Ford said she is looking forward to retirement but doesn't have any specific plans, besides spending more time with her father.

"I'll rest up and see where life takes me. Do some volunteer work, take some enrichment classes - the usual stuff," she said.

For now, she is training someone to do her job, which she says, she won't particularly miss.

"You don't miss the brick and mortar," she said. "I'll miss the people, the lives you touched and the lives that touched your life."

Not taking a sick day won't be for naught.

Ford has a sick-leave balance of 4,508 hours, which will allow her a 5 percent increase in her pension.


http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/postal-worker-retires-44-years-without-sick-day-204326090--abc-news-savings-and-investment.html

I believ Deborah Ford is not only committed but also very disciplined in her work style, & that's why she strives to be @her work station whenevr duty calls. I tink she liked wat she's doin and that's why she nevr wanted to miss working at any paticular time. I also had d same trait in me; i met d target in 2011 but i couldn't beat the target last year as flood almost washed away my house. I lov what i do & dats because d stress brings out d best in me. But kudoz to d lady... She's a true gem

Some people like work sha

i be think say na shoulder them dey put govt. work? anyway she still be learner, make she gather mind fly come niger, come visit our post office, or Nigeria Railway....abi make she try visit our public school her life will never remain the same

Workometer

From her dad's track record too, I can see some strong genes at work here, couple with a high sense of duty.
Our 9ja peeps need to learn something here.
Congrats to you Ford.

44 years in a paid employment!!!. Its unimaginable that someone will spend that amount of years serving a company,, when is she going to have fun, and adventure, its really sad. But still she has been a faithful servant, Enjoy your retirement,madam

She rendered full service to her country . Being patriotic till the last day at work , fulfilling Jefferson's request ....

Industrious woman from an industrious country wishing if this bunch of indolent civil civil servants from our shores can borrow a leaf from her! Enjoy your retirement dear

Dem d get alomo bitter dia?

na wa oh try am for naija na

Times when people take sick time off for common cold/flu, co-workers even ask them to leave for fear of contacting sore throat, as in soreness of the throat

That's definitely commendable

I knew some how that this person wouldn't be a Nigerian. Not generalizing but Nigerian Civil Servants love sick days whether they're sick or not!

Back to topic, this is a record worth emulating! Happy retirement madam!

Nice, what a dedicated worker.

Me sef, I've been on the job for four years and counting and hadn't used one day of sick leave...

those are dedicated workers, not the type you find here who would purpose apply for maternity leave almost every year

44 YEARS!!
God4bid Govt work for that long

Glad am Nigerian, the entrepreneur spirit in me won’t let that happen

SlyIg: Dem d get alomo bitter dia?

lolz

Whatsoever your hands find to do, do it with all your might
For there in is no work, or device, or knowledge, or wisdom in the grave where we goeth

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Workaholic, congrat to her.

i hope she feels fulfilled after putting in so much.

Kudos to her. Its nt in Nigerian setting that some people work frm 7am-7pm. She will even break down without realising it

She is a mumu

Prof Corruption: She is a mumu

definitely a nigerian!

Na only 4 Yankee u go fit do such. If u try am here OYO 4 u. Wen dem go wan sack u dem nr go remember all d sacrifices.

This one na news?

Skipfr: Na only 4 Yankee u go fit do such. If u try am here OYO 4 u. Wen dem go wan sack u dem nr go remember all d sacrifices.

No mind am, mk e come nja, dem go even sack self say because she too put the work for head, i love nigeria my con3 jarre

Grendel: This one na news?

No na poem, as e no be plane crash, or bomb blast or any news to discredit Good luck or to call am retardeen, e no go fit be news to u, idiot

God's doing. May His name be praised.

emilyone: those are dedicated workers, not the type you find here who would purpose apply for maternity leave almost every year

If the company policy allows a pregnant woman to go to maternity leave
why are you angry

And logically it is very difficult to get mat leave within twelve calendar months except it is a clean process like
Ovulation and conception in the last month of mat leave and nine months of carrying the birth

Are you not a woman
na wa o