Corporate politics can bring out the best in you.. and it gnaws out the worst.. perhaps. Well, I bit the bullet in February of 1977. A review of my truncated career of insurance claims adjusting is in order!
- The sign read 'It's not a job... it's a career.'
- Working in the Home Office at 151 Farmington Ave, Hartford, under a roof of 9,000 employees was formidable in every regard. It truly was like a military compound " Fort Aetna!"
- It was a game of corporate politics and after some 22 months I truly had enuf!
- My family was young and I was a daring S.O.B.
- The Aetna Sales Course for 6 weeks was grueling. I achieved an 86 average. Blue ribbons were given to those achieving 90%. So what!
- The perks in the corporate culture were excellent. I got to see noted columnist Jack Anderson speak. Curt Gowdy also spoke about the Red Sox. Oakdale Theater saw entertainment..namely The Carpenters..Karen & Richard performing. A+
- I made friends outside of Field Management. Graphic artist Valerie Bolden helped me create overhead slides for my presentations.
- Because of I-91 traffic I arrived each morning before 7 AM and attended Mass at the cathedral across from the Home Office. Interesting. The homilies and scriptural readings were good.
- The biggest problem is AETNA wanted my soul.
- Higgison was the Director and really didn't understand what being an adjuster was really about. "Ignorance in action."
- My one department friend was Phil Fierro. We shared the training platform teaching entry leven adjusters from all over America. This was fun. Then he got promoted.
- I was thrust into a job I really didn't want.. Administrator of the Claim School! My support was weak.
- I sought refuge in my young family of Ben and Josh.
- Restoring 17 Laurel Ave, Windsor gave me my "second job." Too much.
- The Windsor Jaycees allowed me to grow as a member and program contributor. This was my calling. Socially and intellectually.
- As the months in Fort Aetna went buy I became more and more disenchanted so I sought help of a "shrink" Marvin Zellman, MD. There 7 visits helped me open my life's door to independence.
- 'If you can't stand the heat.. get out of the kitchen" said president Harry Truman. I did just that.
- In my search for the key to the real world I discovered a Personnel Manual with the answer: "Some employees leave Aetna without any notice." My heart pulsated with approval"
- 'Hello, Ed, yesterday was my last day!" We met t John Brown's Restaurant in Bloomfield and spoke for four hours!
- I affirmed my decision to leave the womb the next day. It was over!
- Leaving the security of a "job" emancipated me for the remaining years of my life. I was free.
- Over the years I have been on a journey of unbelievable proportions. I've been everywhere and delight in the whole process of growth.
- My retirement benefits of $239.67 a month are paltry yet, as a retiree I get all of the corporate propaganda of how great they are:$$$$$$$$.
ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN
AETNA # 87493
Box 11
West Brookfield, MA 01585
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