- A 100-year-old man has broken the
Guinness world record for the longest time worked at one company. - Walter Orthmann of Brazil has worked at the same firm, textile company ReneauxView, for 84 years.
Many people work at multiple companies throughout their careers, rather than just one.
Not Walter Orthmann. The 100-year-old in Brazil has broken the record for the longest tenure at a single company, according to a press release last week from
Orthmann started working as a shipping assistant at textile company Industrias Renaux S.A., now known as ReneauxView, in January 1938, according to the press release. He was 15 years old at the time and took the job to help support his family as they faced financial problems.
"Back in 1938, kids were expected to
Orthmann was later promoted to a role in sales and, ultimately, to a sales manager position.
He still goes to the office each day and celebrated his 100th birthday with family, friends, and coworkers last month.
After all these decades, he says his best career advice is to find a good employer and follow your passions.
"When we do what we like, we don't see the time go by," he said.
With the Guinness recognition, Orthmann is breaking his own previous record for the longest career at the same company. In 2018, he was recognized for having worked 80 years at ReneauxView.
Looking back on his life so far, Orthmann says he considers the record his "proudest achievement" despite "never having contemplated breaking a record."
"I don't do much planning, nor care much about tomorrow," he said. "All I care about is that tomorrow will be another day in which I will wake up, get up, exercise and go to work; you need to get busy with the present, not the past or the future. Here and now is what counts."