Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 70185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“Right, so, the first order of business. We will be starting a new initiative in the coming months where the work week will no longer be Monday to Friday but Monday to Thursday. Your pay will not change, and neither will your hours. We will try this for a period of three months, and if it works, we will continue.”
There were a lot of surprised looks, and I saw more people start to relax; some of them even smiled. “We’re also looking at implementing a hybrid system where some of you may work from home part of the time and come into the office at least once a week.”
“Department heads, you will give me a list of where this is applicable. I know everyone can’t work from home, but we’ll do our best to give those who can the option. Now, the daycare, I know some of you are on the waiting list. Mr. Devereaux and I are considering expanding the daycare and hiring more staff.”
That also got more smiles, and now, instead of tension, there was an air of excitement in the room. “We’re also going to open a website where you can make complaints anonymously and make suggestions for a better working environment. Does anyone have any questions?”
They shook their heads no. “One more thing: there will be a new revision to the ethics policy. This policy is non-retroactive, but going forward, anyone who had any run-ins with the law, anyone caught having an affair, will be terminated immediately.”
Melanie jumped up before I could finish speaking. “I knew it; I knew this is why you came here.”
“I guess you don’t know what non-retroactive means. It means that this rule will go into effect in the future and does not have any bearing on anything that happened in the past. Now sit…down”
“You can’t order me around. I’m a Devereaux.”
“No, you are not. My husband is the only Devereaux grandchild. You were not born a Devereaux, and you will never be a Devereaux, while I, on the other hand, am married to a Devereaux. So you can sit down and be quiet, or you can go clear out your desk and get off the property immediately.”
‘That’s my bitch right there.’
I waited for her to sit down again before carrying on. “As I was saying, any immoral acts that come to the company’s attention, anything that will reflect poorly on the company, will be cause for immediate termination.”
"There will also be mandatory drug testing every three months. Does anyone have any questions?" They shook their heads and looked a little more impressed. “Now, you’re dismissed.” I looked at Melanie, but she couldn’t hold eye contact for long. Bitch you scared? I just got started.
MARCUS
“How’d it go?”
“She did very well, but uh, I don’t think Melanie was too pleased.”
“Did my girl go after her?”
“No, actually, I thought she would’ve, but she was very fair. She didn’t attack them in any way.”
“That’s my girl. She has class. She’s more the type to fuck with them, or at least her twin is.”
“Her twin?”
“Never mind, it’s an inside joke. How about the others?"
"They all seemed pleased. The scuttlebutt is that they didn’t think she’d cut it because someone, and it's your guess who started a rumor that she’s not qualified.”
“Oh, really. Thanks, Carl. Is she back in her office?”
“She’s in there with motor mouth, Millie.”
“Damn, do you two ever stop?”
“It’s her, not me.” I just looked at him. In every other instance, he’s the tough-as-nails SEAL, but add Monique to the mix, and I can’t tell who the hell he is.
“I’m gonna go check on the kids since you don’t need me.”
“How’s the work coming on the expansion?”
“Not bad; they seem pretty motivated since you promised them a bonus if they get it done on time and up to code.”
“Alright.” Rumors huh! I buzzed through the interoffice intercom, “Monique, get in here." She came traipsing in ten minutes later.
“It’s two minutes from here to her office; what took you so long?”
“Wait, you counted?” I felt the heat in my face.
“Shut up. I need you to do a background check on all employees. Focusing mainly on their credentials.”
“Oh boy, who pissed in your Wheaties? Why don’t you just go after who you’re going after?”
“Then it would be a frontal attack. Where’s the fun in that? Make sure the word gets around that you’re doing this.”
“You’ve got it.” I knew she would like that task because she likes mess, especially when it involves people she doesn’t like. I’ll let that get around for a day or two and see who scatters. I already know who is qualified and who isn’t. Those who aren’t should’ve kept their mouths shut.
KAREN
“One-hundred-twenty.” No-no-no, I counted that brick already. I have to start over. I walked to the end of the wall and felt around in the dark. “One!” I made it all the way to the other end this time but I couldn’t remember what number I had reached.