“It’s tough, but let’s support each other and get through this.”
Everyone followed her instructions reluctantly to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Sighing, Michael asked, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s about Laura, our manager.”
As he invited me out for drinks on a rare day off, he sighed heavily, looking genuinely troubled.
“Laura has been really on my case lately. Every day, she’s asking me out.”
“I see. I get it,” I replied, understanding his situation.
It seemed she often invited him out for drinks or meals. Michael looks young for his age, so Laura didn’t seem to mind the age.
He’s not comfortable with romantic relationships and has his own reasons for staying single, so being pursued like this was a real burden for him.
“When I talk to female colleagues, Laura scolds them.”
“That’s troublesome.”
“Exactly,” Michael agreed, clearly struggling with Laura’s behavior too.
He sighed wearily.
“Upper management isn’t much help either.”
“Yeah, I tried talking to them once, and they were pretty indifferent about it. It’s really affecting me. The whole atmosphere in the sales department has changed.”
Who knows what will happen next?
As expected, the sales department went from being peaceful to tense. Everyone was trying not to get on Laura’s bad side.
“Hey, you,” she called out.
“Yes?”
“Don’t just sit at your computer all day. Get out and work.”
“I am working, though.”
“I’ve told you to go out and visit your clients. Since I’ve been here, I haven’t seen you leave the office even once. And yet, you’re always dressed up.”
That’s when Laura started targeting me.
She glanced at my computer, clearly not understanding what I was doing.
“You’re not doing any work, are you?”
“I am doing my job.”
She thought I was slacking off.
“Besides, you hardly talk to anyone in the office. You just say hello and nothing more.”
“Everyone is busy, so I try not to disturb them,” I explained, preferring to communicate through email and chat.
That’s also how I heard about her rumors and complaints.
“Really? You’re so gloomy. You’re in sales, but you’re glued to your computer, not going out for field work, not interacting with other staff, and you’re always dressed in mismatched clothes, leaving right on time. Are you taking your job lightly?”
Laura seemed to really dislike me, constantly picking on me and making snide remarks.
“Scott, are you okay? Laura was hard on you today, right?”
“I’m fine,” I replied. “She’s focused on me right now, so it’s been easier for the rest of you.”
“Let me know if you need anything. We’re here to help.”
“Thank you, everyone.”
The sales staff noticed what was happening and showed their concern.
They often intervened by saying things like, “There’s work to do,” or “A customer is here,” to pull her away.
Aside from Laura, I had good relationships with others.
“What’s that manager? She complains about Scott leaving on time, but she leaves early too.”
“It’s true. I saw her at a bar the other day.”
“Me too. She was drinking a lot.”
“How much does she spend on drinks?”
“Apparently, she was drinking with business partners, and it’s all being paid for with company money.”
“Really?”
More and more, the talk about her wasn’t about her work skills, but rather unpleasant rumors.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. If her bothering me gives you all a chance to work, then it’s okay.”
“I’m really sorry. If anything happens, I’ll help out. And you know what’s going on. You’ve changed jobs a lot, haven’t you? If you ever decide to leave, could you let me know?”
I nodded, and Michael said, “Thank you,” and walked away.
Unlike me, Michael has always been the type to stay in one place, but it seemed this situation was making him reconsider.
A few months after Laura arrived, there was trouble.
The sales department’s expenses had increased, leading to orders for cost cutting.
“Why have the expenses gone up? Now we’re told to cut costs. It’s ridiculous,” Laura complained.
But the rise in expenses was her fault.
Her excessive spending on entertainment was causing the increase. Everyone knew she was frequently out drinking.
“I don’t want to cut back on entertainment expenses. If they’re cut, I won’t be able to drink as much. It’s your fault, Scott.”
“Why me?”
“You’re not working. Having you here is a waste of expenses and salary. You’re stealing company money.”
I was being unfairly accused.
I was just doing the job I was assigned. She didn’t understand it, but I believed my work was important.
“To cut costs, I’ll start by cutting you.”
“What a mess.”
“You’re so gloomy. We don’t need you. Pack up your things and get out of the company.”
“Is that an order from the boss?”
“Yes, you’re fired,” she said with a smirk.
I just sighed.
“Then I quit.”
“Don’t ever come back to this office. Getting rid of an incompetent employee will save us money.”
Without much resistance, I packed my things and left the company.