Human Resources, Hidden Figures: Over and Under

 Overworked, Unseen, Underappreciated: The original Hollywood presentation of "Hidden Figures" (2016) revealed that, among a legion of people it takes to successfully launch a 'manned' space-ship are several who remain unseen to the naked eye, behind the scenes, underappreciated; nonetheless critical to the mission. Such as some African American female mathematicians, who themselves did not seek the limelight but eventually found themselves on the big screen in front of millions (among which was Katherine Johnson, who passed from us in 2020 at the age of 101; incredibly intelligent, humble to the end). The film helped to not only expose and counter some long held stereotypes, as well as became a conversation starter regarding others who might also, while unseen, are critical to any given cause, who work tirelessly on behalf of a mission, on our behalf. In the past few years, in the COVID context, a lot has been written about the 'frontliners' who, especially early on, were overexposed, underequipped, literally risking their lives, in reducing the risk to ours. Gradually, we also became aware of those who, while not as exposed to us due to their place and time of work, were also instrumental in mitigating risk of germ spreading, through ridding the areas of dirt and grime, at every place and time, including hospitals, schools, and workplaces...housekeeping staff, custodians...all of whom have continued to this day to do what is many times...

Thank-less (?) job, Local talent: As I recently became aware through a few different (human) sources, there are more than a few school custodians in particular in some local districts who are 'at risk' of losing their accrued vacation time, that which they justly earned. This, due in part to staffing shortages and the demands of some immediate-short term projects that have to be completed over the few months while students and teaching staff are otherwise on their own vacations. Most of the custodians and related staff that I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the years (I came to appreciate that if I really wanted to know what was happening in a school, I should become acquainted with the front office staff and the custodians) just want to be acknowledged from time to time, while otherwise remaining pretty invisible. Just a mere "Thank you for your service, for being here when we're not" goes a long way, in my experience. Several years ago, a particular custodian asked me if I thought it rude to hand back gift cards he received from staff and others at Christmas time, asking instead to only be acknowledged ("It's like I'm invisible except maybe a few times each year"). Hidden Figures, in deed. I am full of thanks, thank-full for them; you are noticed and appreciated.