No Worries If Not! by Lucy Nichol

Author:Lucy Nichol [Nichol, Lucy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2023-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

17

‘Right then.’ Jamie was sternly flicking through papers in front of him as we both sat alone in the little glass pod at the end of the office. ‘I take it you’ve completed your forms.’

‘I have,’ I said.

‘Right. We’ll chat through them, starting with your objectives, and then we’ll move onto the values.’

The atmosphere was below freezing. This didn’t bode well.

We both looked down at the sheets of paper in front of us. These appraisal forms always reminded me of some kind of game show. Like Play Your Cards Right or something. Is your manager going to score you higher or lower than you scored yourself?

The first objective was about the profit we were making on our accounts. Had we hit our commission targets? I knew this one would be a breeze because you couldn’t argue against it. The numbers were there in black and white. But had I met or exceeded my objective? Because I knew that some of the other objectives might come under more scrutiny given his behaviour lately, I decided to be bold. I marked this one as exceeded.

Was it a match?

Computer says no. Or rather, Jamie did. ‘Remember Charlotte, for an objective to be considered as “exceeded” it needs to be exceptional. Wouldn’t you agree that going ten per cent over target isn’t exactly exceptional?’

I felt my chest flush, and I was so relieved to be wearing my old high necked top. It ended up being a blessing dashing out of the shop without any new clothes the other day. I realised that, if only I washed everything in the washing basket, rather than just continually picking off the top layer of dirty clothes, I’d have an entire second wardrobe.

I knew, however, that I wasn’t flushing with embarrassment. It was more a rage. It was as though my body was just building up for conflict. I’d never had an appraisal like this. Fuck, I’d never had a meeting like this. Jamie was being purposefully harsh. I knew it. And all because…

As I looked up from my papers and towards my boss, I felt my eyes deaden as an image gatecrashed my angry mind. I was Jessica Jones. Leather jacket clad, super human Jessica Jones. I jumped up onto the desk, leaning forward, grabbing him by the throat and picking him up out of his chair, his legs kicking while he spluttered and cried and… then…

‘Charlotte. Wouldn’t you agree?’

I shot upright in my seat to ground myself back in reality. ‘Um. No… not really.’

‘I’m sorry?’ He appeared shocked. Surprised that I wasn’t just going along with whatever he said, I guess.

But by now I’d already said it. I told him I didn’t agree. So I had to give him a reason.

I gave myself a mental talking to. Just stay objective, Charlotte. Stick to the facts. Don’t get emotional. ‘Last year,’ I said, as calmly as I could. ‘Most account handlers were unable to retain commission at a rate equal to the year before. Business has been tough.

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