Donna Chafe: The Sales Auditor

By: Grace Chafe and Katie Cranfiord

“It’s all about being ergonomic, so you have to

have your desk set up a certain way, so that you’re not hurting yourself, like for your back. Your arm rest needs to be set-up so when you’re typing you won’t have any Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. When you’re lifting your files you can’t do pinch-mode you actually have to grab with two hands so that you over-extend your wrists/hands.”

What Are Your Workplace Safety Terms/Benefits?

“For our particular warehouse, because I work

at Costco, our place is the same as in British Columbia where if there’s any forklifts on the floor we have to wear a safety vest anytime the forklifts are operating. That is prior to the actual opening of the store at 10:00am.”

What Safety Equipment Do You Need for Your Job?

“These jobs prepared me for my occupation. I

was also an auditor in my 20’s, in Mississauga, Ontario. I also worked in an accounting firm as a payroll clerk/tax accountant assistant for three years. Besides these jobs, I also worked as a waitress at Stage West and many other establishments.”

What Is Your Previous Work Experience?

“When I was in Toronto and when I had

finished High School, I worked at the ‘Stage West’ Restaurant and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I had left high school and moved to Toronto and I decided I really liked accounting. I then decided to come back to go to Memorial, and then from Memorial I went to Cabot College.”

What Encouraged You to Enter This Field?

“I have a marketing background and an

accounting degree from Cabot College.”

What Is Your Required Training For This Job?

“I don’t know how to answer that question. I

love my job. I like the hours that I work. I suppose the only thing that’s different really is that most accounting firms would be Monday to Friday, say 9-5. My job is in accounting retail position, we require to work one day of the weekend so that effects my family life.”

How Has This Job Impacted Your Life?

“I suppose I could retire in 10 years, but it

really depends on my child on what financial strain she puts on me in the future.”

When Can You Retire?

“I have had a lot of jobs. From the age of 11-14 I

delivered Sears catalogues door to door. When I was going to college I worked three jobs one summer, all at the same time. One job was a manager as a restaurant, one as a waitress and one with the Town of Torbay inputting their water taxes and their property taxes to set up their accounting system. I also worked as Stage West, which I previously told you about. Another Restaurant I worked at was Marconi’s as a waitress and I worked at J.F Gough.ca. Overall I have had around 6 positions.”

How Many Jobs Have You Had?

“No. I wanted to be rich. I wanted to be

financially independent and be retired at the age of twenty-five, and just kind of be jet setting. However I suppose as a child, everyone wanted to be an actor or an actress or something, am I right? I initially thought I was going to end up as a lawyer.”

Is This The Job You Wanted As A Child?

“Yes, I can be promoted. The position could be

as a lead or a supervisor, and then as a manager within a specific department. The way it works at Costco is that you have to go to different departments. I can be promoted, however I do not want to be. I like what I am doing.”

Can You Be Promoted? If So, To What Position?

“No, I did not work in high school. I just did

some local babysitting. We moved here when I was in grade 9 and we only had 1 vehicle, therefore transportation was difficult and I wanted to have more time to focus on my school work and studies.”

Did You Work During High School?

“I have been doing this job for 20 years. We

actually just celebrated our 20th anniversary.”

How Many Years Have You Been Working At This Job?

“Mathematics of course as I work in the

accounting department, and I guess English helped as well since I am always sending emails and letters to different support teams and departments. In college I also did courses in marketing, accounting, and computer courses, which helped get me where I am today.”

What High School Courses Prepared You

For This Job?

“I love what I am doing now, however, when I

was 19 & 20 I was a waitress. I loved waitressing because I always had a lot of fun laughing and chatting with my customers and co-workers. Also, I got 50% off all of the food.. That was definitely a bonus. It was so tasty.”

What Was Your Favorite Job? Why?

“My work covers 80% for medications and

dental care, etc. There is a cut-off at around $500. I’m pretty sure $500 is the general number, and after that the coverage is 100%.”

What kind of medical coverage does your work

provide?

“Well yes and no. After I graduated high

school I moved to Toronto and found work there, so I guess that kind of falls under the category. After that I came back to St. Johns and attended Memorial University and then started on the path to my career.”

Have You Moved Around For Work? Where?

“Yes, I attended Memorial University and

Cabot College. I preferred Cabot College. When I went to Memorial I was able to transfer my credits to Cabot College. Cabot College offered the courses that I needed for my career and they could be completed in a smaller time frame. I felt this was better or me so that I could begin my career sooner. Also, Memorial had very larger classes. Since Cabot had smaller classes I could learn and concentrate a lot better.”

Did You Attend Post Secondary After High

School?

“Yes, I travelled to Toronto once and to New

Brunswick twice. During these trips I received training for the new computer software and devices that we were going to be using. Also, I trained personal from other provinces to do the same job that I am doing.”

Have you travelled with your work?

“I love it. Sometimes it drives me crazy, but I

absolutely love it. I work with a supervisory role, so I am kind of like the teacher. If anybody has a question, they come to me and I help them out. Also I just work a regular day shift, unlike someone n an actual managers position who may work 12 hour shifts.”

Do you enjoy your job?

“I’d say when I was called by one of the

general managers in Ottawa being told that if anyone had any problems within their warehouses to contact Donna in St. John’s. I had all of these warehouses contacting me because I was the strongest in my position.

What was the best experience you have had

with this job?

“I have, but it was a mixture of doing stuff at

home and then being in the workplace. I had over-extended my back putting away Christmas decorations at home, then I sat a certain way at work and threw my back out. I was off of work for about 3 months. If my work station had of been ergonomic, I probably would not have injured myself as badly.”

Have You Ever Been Injured In Your Workplace? Explain.

Any Questions?