Our woes began at the middle of last year, when the management had learned that our funds were slipping. An urgent meeting was called and in less than a month, a quarter of our workforce had been retrenched. They were the first and last who left the company with their back-pays intact. Had the others knew they were in for more sacrifices, almost half of the people would have left.
The management held on to the belief that a reduction of manpower will allow the company to recuperate. It did for a month, but come September, production slid to alarming levels in one of the key accounts. The agents belonging to that account form the bulk of the remaining workforce. When numbers did not recover and the output remained stale and hopeless, a reduction in working hours became the policy of the company.
One by one, people were being nipped from their workstation. An agent working for her two children cannot live on 6K alone. A single mom with no one else to rely for support would dive into the black hole, hoping there is salvation beyond. All of a sudden, they found themselves working for call centers when they thought all their lives they don't have the voice. They found themselves in alien shores clinging to one another, wishing their troubles would end.
Meanwhile, a season went by and two more accounts had closed. The noose is tightening around the company and the management was too stunned to make a move.
Should we close the company and declare it bankrupt?
How about those who held out since this crisis started?
What shall we do with the team leaders?
How do we pull this one off?
Too many questions yet the answer is already spelled out on the wall. The company cannot continue to run with its present number of people. One must shake the system until the undesirables fall. One is already certain who will remain and who will have to move on.
Of the 49 survivors who stuck with a sinking boat, only 16 has been asked to stay. None of the team managers were counted; the wretched HR officer was also ditched. Of the 16 souls who will form the new team, my uncle was not included. Mami Athena's future son-in-law also had to go and when the final numbers emerge, none of those I recommended to be retained would be considered.
I was asked by the boss to stay. With my ability to jump from one job post to another, (like becoming a QA analyst, a team leader and an agent in one sitting) my presence cannot be ignored. Versatility has now revealed its ugly head. And with all the training I recieved, the company is exacting a price. I do not mind staying behind, and sink. (for I know how to swim) But at the back of my head, when I contemplate the very survival of my wealth, instincts begin to reassert: will fate remain kind, when suddenly,
unexpectedly,
I leave everything behind?
"I just want you to know that I cannot promise anything should you decide to stay," the boss cleared his throat. "hindi ko masasabi na magiging okay ang lahat after nito." I was listening quietly. Mami Athena had already told me the risks of staying."But I want you to know that your presence will be well appreciated. Hindi ko sinasabi sa lahat ng tao ito."
I don't know what to say.