A pensioner has landed a full-time job at the age of 81 after wowing bosses with his work ethic.
Dutch-born Jozef de Bie hated the idea of putting his feet up in his retirement and last year offered his services as a part-time packer at a comic book company.
But a year on, he’s now been made a full-time employee after impressing the firm with his hard work, reliability and dedication – and never taking a day off sick.
Jozef said: ‘I’d be lost without this job, I couldn’t imagine not working, the offer came out of the blue two months ago, I was pleasantly surprised.
‘I just love working, I don’t think I could just sit in a household all day, that would drive me crazy, I think I’d go mad.
Jozef De Bie, 81, with Lisa Hare, 24, at Forbidden Planet where he last year took on a part-time warehouse job
A year on, the pensioner has now been made a full-time employee after impressing the firm with his hard work, reliability and dedication – and never taking a day off sick
Jozef clocks in at Forbidden Planet in Heybridge, Essex, at 8am every weekday morning, leaving at 4.30pm
‘I’m happy to be at work, I do what everyone else does, otherwise my employers wouldn’t have had me.
‘It is brilliant for people of my age to be offered a permanent job.
‘Working beyond retirement age keeps you young- if you feel fit and healthy enough, why not keep doing it?’
Mr De Bie clocks in at Forbidden Planet in Heybridge, Essex, at 8am every weekday morning, leaving at 4.30pm.
He works as a warehouse stock picker and packer at the company, which specialises in selling cult sci-fi books, comics and collectibles.
Lisa Hare, 21, who is Me De Bie Retail Operation Coordinator and said: ‘Jozef is a huge inspiration to everyone in the company.
‘We are looking to employ people that work hard and bring something to the business- and that doesn’t have an age on it- and Jozef is a hard worker.
He works as a warehouse stock picker and packer at the company, which specialises in selling cult sci-fi books, comics and collectibles
Mr De Bie said that he couldn’t imagine a retirement of being sat in a household all day
Mr De Bie, who lives in Witham, Essex, moved to the UK when he was 18 and worked all of his life as a manager in the fertiliser industry
‘He does everything that everyone else does, he packs the same- in fact, I think he’s actually a much better packer than the others!
‘We are always like, ‘Are you okay doing so much?’ and he’s like, ‘Yes, I’m fine!’
‘Younger staff might kick up if they think that something’s a lot of work, but when they see an 81 year old they can’t really say it’s too much for them.’
Jozef said: ‘The people I work with are like all my friends, they are all very happy and cheerful, and easy to work with.
‘I hadn’t thought of being an inspiration to them at all, that’s not something I would have said myself.
The pensioner retired at 65 but has kept himself busy ever since with temp jobs, most recently through HR GO Recruitment
Mr De Bie with his colleagues. In a message to the 81-year-old, Jack Parkinson, chairman of HR GO Recruitment, said: ‘Thank you for your hard work commitment and loyalty. Our loss is definitely Forbidden Planet’s gain’
‘I’d like to carry on as long as I can.’
Mr De Bie, who lives in Witham, Essex, moved to the UK when he was 18 and worked all of his life as a manager in the fertiliser industry,
He retired at the age of 65 but has kept himself busy ever since with temp jobs, most recently through HR GO Recruitment.
Anita Wakeman, recruitment consultant for HR GO, said: ‘Jozef is still as motivated and joyful as a lad of 20.
‘He has never refused work, never had a day off sick, and is reliable and hardworking.
‘It has been an absolute pleasure knowing him for all these years and I am pleased he has got the chance at Forbidden Planet International.’
In a message to Jozef, Jack Parkinson, chairman of HR GO Recruitment, said: ‘You have been on active assignment with many of our clients, providing excellent service every time.
‘Whilst we will miss one of our most loyal temporary workers, this is a fantastic achievement that is well deserved.
‘Thank you for your hard work commitment and loyalty. Our loss is definitely Forbidden Planet’s gain.’