Mary Ann Cummings Working on Her Own Terms M ary Ann Cummings was born at home
in Carbondale, Kansas, and raised on a farm with two sisters. She married at age 18 and her life with her husband, Frank, was anything but traditional. She worked, he didn’t, and they were both fine with that. Mary Ann says that the arrangement was baffling to other people but completely natural to the two of them.
“In that era it was not acceptable for a man not to work,” she said. “Frank often told people, ‘She makes the living and I make the living worthwhile.’”
Mary Ann enjoyed a long-time career in state government. In 1965, Mary Ann began working for the State of Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services, where she stayed for 18 years serving as secretary to the director of Children and Youth Programs. In 1983, she transferred to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment where she was the assistant to the Secretary until her retirement in 2000.
But, the self-professed workaholic, Mary Ann, really wasn’t ready to just collect a retirement check, she wanted to continue working. And that’s when Express Employment Professionals came through with a job that provided the flexibility she desired.
Mary Ann tried another temp agency, which required her to take a “long, drawn-out test” in order to place her in a job. Frustrated with the process, Mary Ann would have none of it. She came highly recommended with glowing letters about her character and “tremendous working
knowledge” of state government. Mary Ann’s outstanding employee performance evaluations also praised her effectiveness and dedication.
“I said, ‘you know, I can write a letter and I can spell, and I can add two and two, and if you can’t find something for me without taking some four-hour test, forget it,’” she said.
She went to Express, where, after a “little, abbreviated test” online, she was placed right away–and wound up working for the same agency from which she had retired.
Through Express, she returned to the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment. She is charged with data entry and performing background checks on potential employees. The transition was an easy one for Mary Ann.
“Express is the best employer I’ve ever had. I go in and get my paycheck and I never have any issues with them,” Mary Ann said. “I let them know my availability and when I need time off. So far that’s been okay and I love the flexibility.”
The flexible schedule allows her to take off regularly to visit her grandchildren in Arkansas. She is happy to go to work and finish her job, whether it means working eight hours in a day–or not.
“At this point in my life, I like the idea that I
am not a traditional employee,” Mary Ann said. “And, thanks to Express I’m working because that’s all I’ve ever done.”
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