Chapter 3 – What Owen Didn’t Know

“I don’t really have time for individual conversations right now, Margaret,” Owen said, glancing at his phone with visible impatience. “I know this is difficult. The severance package is generous, given the circumstances.”

“I’m sure it is,” Margaret said. “I’d like to discuss something else, though. Somewhere private, if you don’t mind.”

Owen, sensing something in her tone that didn’t match the resigned frustration of the other terminated employees, agreed reluctantly, leading her to a small office near the loading dock rather than his usual executive suite, clearly hoping to keep the conversation brief.

“I want to be direct with you,” Margaret said, once the door was closed. “You’ve just terminated the floor supervisor with the most institutional knowledge in this plant, via a group text message, without so much as a phone call. I’d like to understand the actual reasoning, beyond the phrase ‘modernization initiative.'”

“The board approved a headcount reduction,” Owen said, still impatient. “I don’t make these decisions unilaterally, Margaret. There’s a process.”

“There is,” Margaret agreed. “Which is interesting, because as a shareholder holding just under forty percent of this company’s stock, I don’t recall being consulted on that process at all.”