The Plague in the Office

Here’s a story about a company in Manila. There were 10 of us. We were hired to start off a new account. Much to our amazement, the company was generous enough to pamper us with gadgets, take us to the US for “brainstorming,” treat us for dinner every now and then and give us enough to spend like no other typical employees would. Our first boss was “KC.” Out of the 10 leaders, none thought it was fair to kick him out and judge him to have “poor leadership” just for not being able to force us to bring calculators to an exam. None of us thought it was fair to throw him out of the circle just because we were issued laptops expecting no one would think of it as a privileged to add “leisure” to work. And so it happened… he was first to take a bow.

And so we had no choice but to move on… We were subject to scrutiny by all bosses and just a sniff of unpleasant smell would push us out of the circle. It happened… one of us was once again ruled out. Was it too early? Boss said he’d rather cut an arm than wait for the cancer to hurt the entire body. She was replaced.

And so the games began… During transition we though this is going to be one rowdy environment. The new boss came… he was uptight at first. He was strict and on fire. Days passed by and we started thinking… something’s not right. We saw him drink while on duty… sleep while on duty and mingle with all levels of people. It was seen to be one of his best qualities… he had “people skills.” Little did we know that that was going to be “the enemy.”

On days when we were questioned about occupancy and the likes, we were subject to streamlining. We had to give up some… At first it was fair. We gave up people who didn’t make sense to the entirity of the project. It was a given. They were meant to be streamlined.

We took out the next batch… some were favored and some were “trashed.” Favored mainly because they scratched the boss’ back, and of course the boss scratched their back in return. We believe in giving chances but there were those who were evidently working their asses up to the top. Clean.

And then it came… 10 of us had to be cut down to 7. For the three they though it was unfair. Unfair because they know they were good leaders. in my opinion they were mid performers (at least 2 of them were – 1 was on top). BUT THEY HAD PLANS THEY SAID…

An unfaithful incident occured. In my opinion it was blown out of proportion. It was merely an evidence of the “atmosphere” even the boss tolerated and liked (at least that’s how it appears). But of course with politics taking its course… it was used to some people’s advantage. Four of the ten were doomed. Plans dissappeared. The outcome… generous if you ask me. Only because one stood up and said these people are good and should never be kept from a chance.

Climate check. We’re not the only people in the world. The majority have lost their morale. They were “great” performers but none of them seemed to notice.

One of the 10 — let’s call him Dope. Dope is a male chauvinist pig if you ask me. He was a pervert rolled into a fat piece of old looking crap! He played dirtttty… He was the traitor. He spoke bad behind everyone’s back. No one was exempted. He was “pro-OL.” in his own words. He kissed the ass of the boss hoping he’ll be the first one to be promoted. He wrote an email to his team telling them he had greater responsibilities than the rest. He thanked those who remained “loyal” to him as if there was any. Little did he know that whatever he said behind everyone’s back reached them in ways he can’t imagine. The one person who reached out to Dope, he warned his team against saying “she should not be trusted.” Loser. He knows little of what is out there. She stood by him and defended him, put good words for him. And this…

19 out his 10 people did not fret… They told her everything. She kept all her opinions to herself but Dope didn’t. He schemed his way to his so-called victory. What was kept from him was that half of his team resigned because they did not have anything good to say about him. If he had any conscience one would think his long talks with his people were used to gain sympathy but it was too late… No one liked him from day one. His word against his own. No one had time to even care about what he thinks because at the end of the day… He was one stupid leader who didn’t have a bit in his brain.

Silly part was, the boss was hard on “WOWWING” the customers. He terminated people who had a hint of rudeness in his system… But this one person… Dope… the boss blinded himself on purpose. There were several calls… Recorded ones… He shouted and insulted customers. He didn’t care. But the boss is so caught up on this ass’ loyalty that he can’t let him go. Unbelievable.

People had things to say. 9 of the 10 had at least and 88 out of the 60 under them. They all had things to say. But who would even care to listen? None.