I am privileged to
have worked in some very cool organizations, and then in some not so cool
organizations. The whole idea of 'work experience' is some deep stuff...
Anyways, in one of
the last places I worked, it was such a beautiful place, beautiful from the
outside. All my friends wanted to have a bite of the 'glamour and beauty'. We
were all about appearances, perfect everything, talk about major packaging.
I learnt the most
about work ethic and business sense from these guys, top notch public image and
branding. It was a most educating experience for my budding-rising-inner- entrepreneur. I cannot express how much I learnt
or had to unlearn from my two year work experience in this Organization.
The picture that
greeted clients was perfection. Perfect happy staff, lovely picturesque girls,
chipper friendly colleagues, and all that. What the client did not see and
really had no business seeing was what went down outside the perfect reception.
They did not see the death-traps
that were the offices that the staff had to work in. On more than two
occasions, we experienced fire outbreaks that made us flee for our lives but
had to return to our seats after the physical fires were put out (not bothering
about the source of the problem) because we had deadlines to beat.
I remember that we
created fun and laughter for ourselves. At least we did in my department. We
found a reason to laugh about the numerous challenges that was our work life.
We always looked
forward to the end of year (yeah). Traditionally, we would get bonuses which amounted
to 150 -200% of our normal monthly salaries (that is what the employee hand
book promised). Older staff looked forward to this with joy and anticipation as
they had enjoyed it over the years.
I think Management
decided that it was not public enough and decided to give bags of rice instead
(one for each staff). Older staff lamented the development, for us newbies it
was fun. So the bags of rice were stacked outside the office from the first
light of day and towards the close of business the staff would pick theirs and
take home. All our neighbours would be rainbow coloured with envy.
My second end of year
however, there was no bonus whatsoever. We had worked so hard and the sales and
profits were up in the sky. The bag of rice was all we had to show. On the said
day, the rice arrived earlier than usual and stayed for longer than usual,
right in front of the entrance. The process of collection was elaborate. We
practically had to sign an undertaking to collect the bag of rice.
I took my bag of rice
on the said day and even bought someone else’s. It was a good deal. I happily
dropped two bags of rice at home that day and everyone was impressed. Salaries
came much later, with dire deductions…
In January when we
returned to the office, work resumed, the disappointment of the holiday season
behind us, we faced our chores with the renewed strength and vigour of the New
Year. I went to the head office to receive funds for an important Project and
what did I see or hear? A woman who had been quietly coming for booked
appointments with the Boss which never saw the light of day barged into the
office and was yelling atop her voice that she gave unbelievable discounts for
the bulk purchase of bags of rice and the Company had given her dud cheques.
Twice.
I felt the goose
bumps on my arm rise to my face. The Boss calmed her down and gave her
assurances that she would be paid. She was at that point already being dragged
to the authorities for financial crimes.
I sat back and
considered what I just witnessed, (which I shouldn’t have) if we were to bring
back the rice (laugh out very loud) I had two bags to return. Those bags were
ancient history.
I didn’t even have to
dig deep to discover that the Company had a reputation of issuance of dud
cheques and terrible financial relationships. It took the rice incident to open
my eyes to this open secret.
This is funny to me
now because I am no longer a staff of the Company and I do not have to imagine
the pay cuts that may await me this coming end of year given the crash of the Naira.
Change begins with
you, be the change you want to see. We complain about corruption in leadership
when in our own dealings with people we only seek to cheat and swindle. Let’s
think about this.
Credits
Story: Ojonugwa Sapphire Abu
Photo: theworkinggirl.com
No comments:
Post a Comment