The tension in the conference room grew thicker as they were all anticipating the next words Mr. Rogers would say.
A hushed silence fell over the room as he began to speak. “There is good news and better news.” Mr Rogers’ face was etched with seriousness. “I will start with the good news. One of the most important business elite bought this company today.” This news sent shivers down Vanessa’s spines.
A collective gasp rippled through the room, followed by a stunned silence. His words hit the assembled staff like a bombshell. The company was changing hands. Someone else was now in charge.
A name none of them recognized because Mr Rogers decided to keep them in suspense. Was the financial strain so bad that the company was sold off? This was a major change, one that sent a wave of uncertainty washing over Vanessa and everyone present at the meeting.
Vanessa’s eyes darted around the room, searching for answers. This “brief meeting” was turning into something else entirely and this made Vanessa worried.
What did this mean for their jobs? Their teams? Their careers? A sense of unease settled into Vanessa’s mind.
“The better news is that you are not losing your jobs. Due to the buyer’s policy, he needs some staff members to work at the mother branch.” Mr. Rogers continued, outlining the transition as best he could.
“Some of you will be transferred to the mother branch this week. Please note that you are a representative of our company, so do your best to represent us well.” The details Mr Rogers shared seemed hazy to Vanessa and her colleagues.
Vanessa was lost in the fog of confusion and shock. The company was sold, now he wants to transfer some staff members to another company entirely. This was a drastic change and Vanessa hoped this change wouldn’t affect her. She was not interested in leaving this company. Change was not her thing.
Silence turned into a low murmur as the assembled staff mumbled among themselves. Whispers broke out, and the creak of their anxiety became obvious.
Mr Rogers remained quiet, waiting for them to keep quiet. As a few seconds passed, the boardroom fell silent again. “A message had been sent via email. If you received it, you are lucky to represent us”. Mr Rogers dropped another bombshell.
Why can’t he mention the names during the meeting? Vanessa thought as she checked her phone. Her thoughts were clouded as she heard different questions fly across the boardroom.
“What about us who didn’t get the message?” Clara asked, echoing the worry etched on every face. “Where do we stand in all of this?”
The question hung in the air, a silent plea for clarity and reassurance. All eyes turned back to Mr. Rogers because he had a lot of explaining to do.
“That simply means you can continue your job here”, Mr Rogers cleared the air. “This meeting is adjourned”. He closed the meeting with a dismissal wave. Some of Vanessa’s colleagues left the boardroom with a smile on their faces.
Unfortunately, Vanessa was not one of the smiling staff. They read the message again and had been trying to find the main reason why she had been transferred. She was the best consultant in the company. Why was Mr Rogers sending her out?
Disappointment battled with defiance in Vanessa’s mind as she got to her office. Mr Rogers had some explaining to do. She was not willing to succumb to the change.
Fury burned in Vanessa’s eyes as she marched towards Mr. Roger’s office. She doesn’t care if she was not the only one affected, she was not supposed to be affected anyway.
Her steps echoed in the quiet hallway, each one a beat of defiance against the decision that hung over her head like a storm cloud.
Why the transfer? It made no sense to her. She thrived on giving clients the best advice. She worked hard to please Mr Rogers. She never considered leaving when the company began to fail. Now that the company is saved, he wants her to move to a new branch.
Reaching his door, she practically slammed it open, the sound echoing through the otherwise quiet office. Mr. Roger looked up from his paperwork, startled by the intrusion. Vanessa stood there, arms crossed, her posture rigid with barely contained anger.
“Mr. Rogers,” she began, her voice tight with tension, “I need to understand this transfer.”
Mr. Rogers tried to calm her down with a placating smile on his face. “Vanessa, please, come in. Close the door.”
Hesitantly, Vanessa walked into the office and closed the door behind her. ” Can you explain why I’m being yanked from a team I’m excelling in and shipped off to the middle of nowhere!”
His smile faltered a little. “Vanessa, don’t see this as a punishment, because it is not a punishment. It’s an opportunity.”
“Opportunity?” she scoffed. ” I’m doing well here, I don’t want to leave this place. Moreover, I don’t do well with changes.”
Mr. Rogers sighed, steepling his fingers. “Listen Vanessa, you’re the best person for the job. You have the skills, the experience, the…”
“But I don’t want the job!” she interrupted, her voice rising. “I built a successful career here, and now you want to uproot me?”
He leaned forward, his voice turning firm. “This is a bigger company, Vanessa. We need someone strong to represent us there, and you’re the strongest we have.”
“This is a dead end! I don’t want to go. Please, Mr. Rogers, reconsider. There must be someone else…” she pleaded, her voice softening for the first time.
Mr. Rogers shook his head regretfully. “I understand you, I understand your reservations, but this is my final decision.”
Her stare lingered on Mr Rogers as she begged him to reconsider, but Mr Rogers wasn’t moved by her pitiful look. Disappointment washed over Vanessa, heavy and cold. She knew then that arguing further would be futile.
With a defeated sigh, she turned to leave, the fire in her eyes replaced by a dull ache of resignation.
“This is a big shot, Vanessa. You don’t want to miss out on D’Peters’ offer,” she heard Mr Rogers before she could leave his office.