Well, things haven't changed.
I was still in the office as I watched one never of the board get sacked every week due to lateness.
It was quite concerning. My friends always came early,
though, but I couldn't help but feel scared.
'What if they came late just one day?', I murmured.
It felt harsh that my boss sacked them without warning but I still couldn't blame him.
We had the tightest schedules and that annoyed him coupled with the fact that our company was declining financially. I'm sure that played a significant part in his petulance.
I was the secretary and I was in charge of time management and I must also be the first to check in at the office.
I know what you're probably thinking. I could have easily helped those who got fired write down their names and put in an earlier time for them so as to escape my boss's trap.
Trust me, it wasn't that easy. It was a much more difficult task given the security cameras put up at every nook and cranny of the building.
I had a seat somewhat like that in the image below;
Let's fast forward to last week. My friend literally came in running, it was supposed to be something weird, but we all knew why he was running.
He was almost late. He rushed in, picked up the pen, wrote down the time and signed like a mad man.
He was having a meeting with some contractors that morning so it was a double dose action as he now had two reasons to want to be early.
The following conversation ensued after the meeting;
Boss: Segun, Segun!!
Segun: Sir, I'm so sorry. I had to take my sister to the hospital to have her glasses done. She can't go by herself because of her condition.
I: Yes sir. He told me last week.
Boss: I'm tired of all these flimsy excuses. You're down to the last straw. One more mess up and you're gone.
End of dialogue.
I helped Segun, not for the first time.
My boss had this likeness for me, prolly because for one, I always came early even if it was part of my job and secondly, I always seemed to know when to bring a breakthrough idea when things got clustered even though I was just a secretary.
My name was boldly written on my desk; "Owen", as everyone called me "The therapist", because I always seemed to know what to say to them.
Back to work, it was another heartbreaking day.
My colleague, Sandra, mother of two young kids, got fired for coming 10 minutes late. They say men are strong, but for a second there, I nearly let a tear out.
I think one reason my boss was able to fire them on such quick notice was because there was always a pile of people waiting to be interviewed. He felt like it was a big deal to work in such a prestigious company, so, for that reason, there was no room for mistakes.
It was bad. Really bad. My boss had been doing this for some time now and I felt bad and more frightened knowing that sooner rather than later,one of my close friends might find themselves at the end of the rope.
I talked to Vivian, my friend about it in the following dialogue;
I: Viv, I'm scared. This is getting out of hand. You said you're traveling so you might be coming late to work next tomorrow. Have you told the boss?
Vivian: I've. But, I can't help but feel like It's not enough. You and I know that I need this job for my mother's operation and I also need to travel to go see that doctor in Abuja.
I: I don't know what to do.
Just go remind him again.
Vivian: Okay. Hopefully he listens.
End of dialogue.
And like she presumed, he listened. She did have to grovel around him for some hours before he let out a tired response saying, "You can go, Vivian, don't stress me".
She ran to me with the good news and I was relieved, though, I felt we weren't outta the woods yet.
She told me that she'd set her alarm 2 hours earlier so she'd wake up and do some chores before leaving her house. I laughed. That's what an idea dawned on me.
Remember when I said I was in charge of time management?
Now, I decided to make a bold but daring stunt. I went into my boss's office and come out shortly after.
I sent an email to the whole staff telling them that from henceforth, working activities will commence from 10:00am rather than the previous 8:00am.
Take a moment to realise what I just did. Absolutely crazy!
I went back into my boss's office and told him that all the staff would be going for a programme and that I'd be the only one left.
The following conversation ensued.
Boss: Programme? What programme?
I: Um, one programme like that.
Boss: For how long?
I: I don't know yet but they'd be checking in by 10:00am rather than the usual 8:00am.
Boss: Hmm. Okay.
I:(Seeing that he agreed so easily, which was weird)
Boss, have you thought that maybe we should permanently move the time we check in?
Boss: Why? I see no need.
I: We always have a lot to do in the morning and we try to make ends meet whilst striving to be here on time.
Boss: So do I and so do you.
I: I know, sir. But, it's getting tiring.
I go home everyday to do chores I should've done in the morning as I live alone and still do some office work.
Sir, you know I wouldn't ever complain if it wasn't a real challenge.
Boss: Hmm, no problem.
10:00am, it's.
End of dialogue.
Long story short, I was shocked.
He has never agreed to this before. 'What changed?', I thought.
Still, I was grateful. I told my colleagues my whole plot and they all laughed and thanked me. We agreed to pretend that there really was a programme for a month.
Work went on fine and there wasn't much complaints and firing from my boss.
I thank God for everything and that I didn't get caught and fired.
Hope you aren't reading this, boss.
Thanks for reading.
Image was generated from Google.