04/11/2025
"Kindness costs nothing"
When My Team Complained About the Janitor Taking Too Long on Break
The first complaint came at 2:15 PM.
"Mr. Francesco has been in the break room for thirty minutes," my assistant said, glancing at her watch. "Breaks are fifteen."
I waved it off. "He's probably tired. I'll check on him."
Five minutes later, another employee appeared at my door—but this time, the concern in their voice had shifted to irritation.
I found Mr. Francesco sitting alone, his weathered hands covering his face. When I asked if he was okay, he jumped up like a student caught sleeping in class.
"I'm fine," he said quickly. "I just... I had a small anxiety attack. Trying to catch my breath."
I told him to take all the time he needed.
Ten minutes later, the third complaint arrived: "Francesco hasn't taken out the trash, and there's no toilet paper in the women's restroom. How long is this break going to last?"
That's when something inside me snapped.
I called everyone into my office.
"Mr. Francesco has worked here for twenty-six years," I began, my voice steady but firm. "He's a widower who lost his son last year. To reach this country, he crossed a jungle and a river on foot. He served in the military and defended Kuwait in 1990. He donated a kidney to save a stranger's life. He's survived three major surgeries. He's fifty-eight years old."
The room went silent.
"This man has given more to this building—and to this world—than most of us ever will. So if you see him sitting down, catching his breath, *leave him alone.* If there's no toilet paper, come find me. I'll replace it. I can take out the trash too."
I looked around. "Any volunteers to help? No? Then I'll handle it. But let Mr. Francesco have his peace."
From that day forward, no one ever complained about him again.
Sometimes he still sits a little longer. Sometimes he pauses mid-hallway, lost in thought. And honestly? After everything that man has endured, the least we can do is let him rest.
When asked why I defended him so fiercely, I said something simple: "Because kindness costs nothing, but its absence costs everything."
