Stop talking!

Before moving to the training college to commence my officership journey, I spent four years with Employment Plus as a senior consultant. While challenging, it was work I enjoyed, and I especially appreciated that The Salvation Army had chosen to work with those who were unemployed longest.

Some clients were a pleasure to work with, while others were more challenging. The trickiest ones were those who didn’t really understand why they had been sent to us and what our professional relationship with them should be. One such chap was ... we’ll call him Sammy.

Sammy was a gentleman in his late 40s of Middle Eastern appearance. He had a big smile and a warm handshake, and he entered my office for his first appointment with the appearance of a favourite uncle just dropping by for a chat. The next few minutes, however, proved chaotic.

S: Hello, my name is Sammy, it is a pleasure to be meeting with you today.

M: Hello, Sammy. My name is Mal. Lovely to meet you. Please take a seat and we’ll have a chat about how we can help you.

S: Oh, this is good. I am so glad.

M: Before I forget, here’s my business card. If you need to contact me, just call or email, especially if you need to change an appointment or want to let me know about a job you need help applying for.

S: Thank you so much. And here is my business card. If you need any work done on your car, just call me. My phone number is right there below where it says Sammy’s Motors. That is me; I am Sammy.

M: [Silent. Stunned.]

S: Any time of day or night, even if you break down, I can come and get your car back to my garage, and I will fix it for you for cheap.

M: Sammy, you’re not supposed to be working while you’re claiming unemployment allowance. You can’t be telling me this.

S: Oh, but I have not told Centrelink this, so it is okay. I have only told you about the repair service I run from my garage.

M: Sammy, you need to stop telling me this or I’ll have to report it to Centrelink.

S: But I need the garage. I have six children at home and the garage adds around $1000 a week to my income!

M: Sammy, no more, please.

S: It’s a good business. I only have one person working for me for cash.

M: I can’t be hearing this, Sammy.

S: You can help me get a part-time job ... as long as it doesn’t interfere with my working hours.

M: Stop talking!

S: [Pause] But I fix your car cheap.

M: Please. Stop. Talking.

S: [Pause] Okay. Don’t tell anyone else, but I fix your car for free. Are we good?

Sammy and I chatted for some length about his ‘predicament’ and what we could do to resolve it, and we came up with a solution that worked for both of us and would work for Centrelink.

Sammy was a lovely guy. If you need work done on your car, let me know, I’ll give you his number. He’ll fix it cheap.

–      Major Mal Davies is Assistant Divisional Commander for the Victoria Division.