Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/interactive-story/item_id/1769446-Punished-by-Your-Boss/cid/3120395-Your-superiors-consider-you-too-indecisive-and-
Tanya Huff looks over her notes. As you sit there on the opposite side of her desk trying to shake off the feeling you've been called in for disciplining. The notes are hidden from your casual glances.
"You're new here." she observed. A simple statement rather than a question. But, you feel it as an accusation too. Going to explain, you open your mouth to speak, justify your settling into the role.
"Jack, we're here to provide solutions rather than problems." She glances down.
"Your superiors feel you lack confidence, and assertiveness. Lacking the initiative to lead, and carve your own path."
"Well, I don't want to upset the apple cart at the beginning. I feel I have a lot to learn, before I can suggest alternatives." you counter.
She just makes a vague noise, acknowledging that you've spoken, and notes something else down on the page.
"Your... secretarial staff aren't happy either." She mentions, without addressing any of your counters. You wince keeping the scowl from your face. Trying to keep things casual, you went for a degree of informality. As she did! Inviting them to call you Jack rather than Mr. Hawkins.
But, with you being accused of lacking assertiveness. You dread what's coming next.
"You're accused of being 'too handsy'." reading the accusation right from the page.
She doesn't even raise her head to look at you. Raising a hand to warn you to silence.
"So we have a solution." She lifted her head, tilting it high. Until she was looking down her nose at you. Her glasses slipping forward, with her eyes looking over them.
"We're giving you a slower start, since you seem to want that. We'll allow you to find those routines you want to discover, before you challenge them, and a chance to experience things from the perspective of a secretary."
"I'm being demoted...." you blurt out before you can stop yourself.
"If you prefer we can sack you for gross misconduct." She offers the alternative. Her head lolling to one-side, as if addressing a simple-minded pet.
Swallowing, you don't want to mess up your first appointment. It's degrading, but you hope you can still learn from it. Certainly, you don't want an employer and no referee being the first thing on your CV.
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