sound as if they’d all been using the same template off the Web. HR had already weeded out the total losers, but beyond that, no one stood out.
Finally, at three o’clock in the afternoon, Lydia wanted her piece of the pie. Seated in the chair opposite Ernie’s desk, now Josie’s desk, Lydia twirled a thick lock of hair around her finger. “You know, I really feel that I’m being undervalued.”
What? Josie managed to keep her incredulity to herself. “I can assure you, Lydia, that we all have the utmost appreciation for your effort on our behalf.”
Lydia’s face turned slightly petulant, a pout on her lips. “Then why am I the lowest paid admin in all of FI&T?”
Because she’d been at Castle the least amount of time, only two years, and due to her age, she had the least experience. Josie didn’t know how to articulate that without ruffling Lydia’s feathers. She was used to saying it like it was, but with employees, you had to watch each word to avoid misinterpretation. Fact was, when you were twenty-five, you didn’t want to hear that all things came with age. You wanted it now. You deserved it now. But you sure as hell weren’t going to get it now. Josie had heard it all herself and argued just as vociferously. Until the shoe was on the other foot. Now she wasn’t willing to argue Lydia’s salary issue with HR her first day on the job.
When in doubt, stall for time by saying you’ll find out. Maybe that wasn’t the best choice, simply the one that came to mind. “I’ve just taken over the job, Lydia. Why don’t you let me have time to evaluate the situation and your performance?”
Lydia’s jaw dropped. “I’ve been picking up after your butt for two years.” Her lips slapped together when she realized she was talking to her boss. “That came out wrong.”
It sure did. Josie understood there would have to be a transition period. She wasn’t going to hold it against the girl right now. But damn, she needed a supervisor training course on how to handle this employee relations stuff. PDQ.
So okay, she needed to give a positive stroke here. But how, without making a promise or giving false hope? Lydia had always been a hard worker and efficient, just a teensy bit overemotional. “You’re right, Lydia, you have cleaned up after me and the guys, always going the extra mile.” A very good stroke, if she did say so herself.
Lydia sniffed, but looked a little more pleased. “Thank you.”
“I’ll have to check the salary charts with HR and see where you fit in there.” And that was totally noncommittal. Just the boss getting up to speed.
Lydia nodded. “Okay.” Then she stood. “I used to screen all Ernie’s calls. Do you need me to do that?”
“No.”
“The phone guy will be in later to change over your extension.”
So far, Josie had been forwarding her calls to Ernie’s phone. “Thanks.” She paused. Think positive strokes. “You’re very efficient. I really appreciate the help.”
Lydia blinked, assessed, as if she thought Josie was blowing smoke. In the end, she nodded, then flipped her hair over her shoulder and marched out the door.
The salary issue did bear more consideration. She needed to know how much everyone in the group made, just so she could head off the next person who walked in her door trying to manipulate her into giving them a raise. She’d certainly never talked salary info with anyone. But she wouldn’t put it past Ronson.
Hell, she hadn’t even talked to Connor about her own raise commensurate with the additional responsibilities of being manager. Was that stupid or what? She’d been thinking more about Ernie. And Kyle.
Kyle. She was supposed to meet him, but she hadn’t even thought about where or when. Or even what she’d do once they were together.
What did she want to do?
She rose and shut the door, getting a little rush of pleasure out of the act. She had an office. Cool. She tried not to think about Ernie.
Back at the desk, she
Finally, at three o’clock in the afternoon, Lydia wanted her piece of the pie. Seated in the chair opposite Ernie’s desk, now Josie’s desk, Lydia twirled a thick lock of hair around her finger. “You know, I really feel that I’m being undervalued.”
What? Josie managed to keep her incredulity to herself. “I can assure you, Lydia, that we all have the utmost appreciation for your effort on our behalf.”
Lydia’s face turned slightly petulant, a pout on her lips. “Then why am I the lowest paid admin in all of FI&T?”
Because she’d been at Castle the least amount of time, only two years, and due to her age, she had the least experience. Josie didn’t know how to articulate that without ruffling Lydia’s feathers. She was used to saying it like it was, but with employees, you had to watch each word to avoid misinterpretation. Fact was, when you were twenty-five, you didn’t want to hear that all things came with age. You wanted it now. You deserved it now. But you sure as hell weren’t going to get it now. Josie had heard it all herself and argued just as vociferously. Until the shoe was on the other foot. Now she wasn’t willing to argue Lydia’s salary issue with HR her first day on the job.
When in doubt, stall for time by saying you’ll find out. Maybe that wasn’t the best choice, simply the one that came to mind. “I’ve just taken over the job, Lydia. Why don’t you let me have time to evaluate the situation and your performance?”
Lydia’s jaw dropped. “I’ve been picking up after your butt for two years.” Her lips slapped together when she realized she was talking to her boss. “That came out wrong.”
It sure did. Josie understood there would have to be a transition period. She wasn’t going to hold it against the girl right now. But damn, she needed a supervisor training course on how to handle this employee relations stuff. PDQ.
So okay, she needed to give a positive stroke here. But how, without making a promise or giving false hope? Lydia had always been a hard worker and efficient, just a teensy bit overemotional. “You’re right, Lydia, you have cleaned up after me and the guys, always going the extra mile.” A very good stroke, if she did say so herself.
Lydia sniffed, but looked a little more pleased. “Thank you.”
“I’ll have to check the salary charts with HR and see where you fit in there.” And that was totally noncommittal. Just the boss getting up to speed.
Lydia nodded. “Okay.” Then she stood. “I used to screen all Ernie’s calls. Do you need me to do that?”
“No.”
“The phone guy will be in later to change over your extension.”
So far, Josie had been forwarding her calls to Ernie’s phone. “Thanks.” She paused. Think positive strokes. “You’re very efficient. I really appreciate the help.”
Lydia blinked, assessed, as if she thought Josie was blowing smoke. In the end, she nodded, then flipped her hair over her shoulder and marched out the door.
The salary issue did bear more consideration. She needed to know how much everyone in the group made, just so she could head off the next person who walked in her door trying to manipulate her into giving them a raise. She’d certainly never talked salary info with anyone. But she wouldn’t put it past Ronson.
Hell, she hadn’t even talked to Connor about her own raise commensurate with the additional responsibilities of being manager. Was that stupid or what? She’d been thinking more about Ernie. And Kyle.
Kyle. She was supposed to meet him, but she hadn’t even thought about where or when. Or even what she’d do once they were together.
What did she want to do?
She rose and shut the door, getting a little rush of pleasure out of the act. She had an office. Cool. She tried not to think about Ernie.
Back at the desk, she
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