Gail Hughes

Manager: “Everyone in this office has contributed except you.” Employee: “Contributed to what, sir?” Manager: “The money we're raising for the CEO's daughter's wedding.” Employee: “I know about it. I'm not contributing.” The manager looked up from his laptop. Manager: “You understand this isn't compulsory, right?” Employee: “Yes, sir.” Manager: “Then why are you making it difficult?” Employee: “I'm not making anything difficult. I simply said I won't contribute.” Manager: “Even the cleaners contributed something.” Employee: “That's their decision.” Manager: “You've worked here for seven years. The CEO has been good to you.” Employee: “I agree.” Manager: “Then what's the problem with giving $100?” Employee: “Because I don't have $100 to give away.” Manager: “You earn $4,200 a month.” Employee: “Yes.” Manager: “And you're telling me you can't spare $100?” Employee: “I'm telling you I won't.” The manager leaned back. Manager: “Be careful how you speak. People remember these things.” The employee stood up. Employee: “Sir, can I ask you something?” Manager: “Go ahead.” Employee: “When my wife was admitted to the hospital last year, do you remember what happened?” Manager: “What does that have to do with this?” Employee: “I requested a $2,000 salary advance. I wasn't asking for free money. I offered to repay it over six months.” Manager: “And?” Employee: “HR rejected it.” Manager: “That's company policy.” Employee: “I understood. So I asked if the company could release my annual bonus early.” Manager: “And they said no?” Employee: “Yes.” Manager: “Again, that's policy.” Employee: “Exactly.” The manager frowned. Employee: “But last week, HR sent three reminders asking employees to contribute toward a wedding that reportedly costs more than $200,000.” Manager: “That's completely different.” Employee: “I know. One was an emergency. The other is a celebration.” The room went silent. Then the manager asked a question the employee wasn't expecting. “Do you know who personally approved your promotion two years ago?” Employee: “The CEO?” Manager: “Yes. He rejected three other candidates and chose you.” Employee: “I know, sir.” Manager: “Then perhaps you should remember that before deciding what kind of man he is.” The employee looked at him. “Sir, I'm not questioning what kind of man he is. I'm questioning why gratitude is starting to look like a monthly deduction.”