WALKING UPRIGHT

“RIF?” Eugene’s words burned like fire in Tyler’s heart. Each syllable seemed to have a dagger attached to it. “I’m being fired?” Tyler said in disbelief. “Technically it’s called reduction in force.” As far as Tyler was concerned, Eugene should’ve fallen to the floor as someone without a spine would. “Eugene, I know what it means and no matter what you call it or how you try to spin it, you’re telling me that I’m being let go, right?” Relax. Take a deep breath, maybe I’m not hearing him right, she thought to herself as she exhaled. Eugene nodded his head and said, “Yes.” Tyler’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, especially after all of the hard work that she had done over the years, and particularly the last few months. “Eugene, this is supposed to be my annual review not my exit interview.” He looked at her from across his oak-laminated desk, paused and said, “Tyler, I’m sure that you were aware that some changes were going to take place when Regional Federal merged with Charter Twelve.” “I didn’t think that the changes were going to start with me,” she responded. “Tyler, Charter Twelve is a very large corporation with four of their own Risk Finance Analysts whom they are bringing over—” “Eugene, as I recall, you told us not to worry about the merger because our jobs would not be affected. So what happened?” “The tight budget is what happened. Financially, the bank can’t carry five RFA salaries into the new fiscal year. We were only allowed to keep one employee.” “And it’s not me—I just won employee of the freakin’ year!” Me of all people! After all of the work that I’ve done around here the past five years. Like an idiot I thought I was about to receive an 8% raise. “Tyler, calm down. Look, I know it doesn’t mean much but the RFAs here at Regional Federal were paid a much higher salary than Charter Twelve’s.” Now, I know he doesn’t think that’s supposed to make me feel better. Hmm . . . I wonder which one of us survived the merger. “Tyler, I hope you can understand the decision that I was forced to make.” Eugene stood up and handed Tyler a manila envelope. “I’ve written you a great recommendation letter. I urge you to take the time and go over the contents in this package. It contains HR forms for you to complete to get your severance package and information regarding your 401(k) and pension plan.” Tyler stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles on her Donna Karan suit, took a deep breath, retrieved the package, held back what she really wanted to say to Eugene, and said, “Thank you,” and made her exit. The overwhelming silence in her department was as loud as a Chicago Bulls basketball game at the United Center. Unable to shake the eerie feeling about her fate, she walked lifelessly back to her own office. As she passed by her co-workers, she noticed several packing up their personal belongings. Tyler closed the door and exhaled. She stared at the four walls that she would no longer be looking at in the future. She was too involved in her own situation and told herself that she’d contact co-workers later to get their reactions. What am I going to do? She sat down, took a moment, and scanned through the contents of the brown envelope. Hmm . . . according to this I will still be on RFB’s payroll for another eight months. That’s the least they can do. Continuing to read over the documents from HR, she came across Eugene’s recommendation letter. The letter, typed on corporation letterhead, detailed only half of her professional skills and read, To Whom It May Concern. It concerns me! What’s so great about this? She laid the recommendation letter aside. I must be getting punked. She began cleaning out her office, purging her personal files from her computer, and packing the belongings that she had accumulated over the past five years. Staring at her plaques and certificates awarded during her tenure at Regional Federal Bank, her emotions started to swell. Tyler Kensington, Outstanding Employee of the Year. With tears beginning to well up in her eyes, she declared, I refuse to let this job get the best of me, not here―not on their property. After she completed packing, Tyler closed the door gently behind her and took the back entrance to the elevators. Forcing a laugh of irony, she pushed the down arrow holding on tightly to her box. She looked at her Prada pumps, which she had recently purchased and couldn’t wait to show off at work, and voiced aloud, “I am so much better than this.” On her way out of the building, she noticed Eugene’s niece laughing with the security guard at his console in the front lobby of the building. I hope this girl doesn’t see me. Too late—here she comes. “Hey, Tyler, wait a minute,” Jackie yelled from across the lobby. Tyler stopped and wondered why the heck she was calling her. It was not like they were friends of any sort. “I’m sorry to hear about what happened to you today. I’m sure you will find another position real soon. Your credentials are impeccable.” Is she serious? Oh, I get it. Her job was the one spared. Nepotism is alive and well here at Regional Federal Bank especially when it comes to Jackie Marshall. “Take care of yourself. Here’s my card if you need any references.” Tyler couldn’t figure out why Jackie would think that she’d ever need her card for anything—much less a reference. “Oh, by the way, I meant to tell you earlier those are some bad pumps, girl. You’re definitely working them,” Jackie said. If she knew where I wish I could put one of these pumps, she’d get out my way, Tyler thought. After taking the card and receiving Jackie’s bogus compliment, Tyler returned one of her infamous phony smiles, and said, “Thanks.” Within minutes, she was walking out of the glass doors of the nine-story office tower to the parking lot. She dropped the box into her Audi’s trunk and simultaneously threw the last thing she’d need, to the ground—Jackie’s card. Driving away, Tyler finally let the first tear escape.