Chapter 16 - My stupid order
My second major mistake came during the employment investigation.
I learned that three supervisors had approved corrective shifts.
I ordered the family-office CFO:
“Freeze every management bonus in Mansion Services until this is finished.”
All of them.
Even supervisors not implicated.
Approximately fourteen people.
The CFO hesitated.
I said:
“Do it.”
Two hours later, Miriam called.
“Why are you collectively punishing an entire department?”
“They all worked under her.”
“So?”
“They should have known.”
“That is not an evidentiary standard.”
I stared at the wall.
The resemblance to Helena’s logic was immediate.
Damage occurred.
Someone near it must pay.
I had just created my own version.
I rescinded the blanket freeze.
Bonuses were handled individually under existing policy after investigation.
Three supervisors received discipline.
One resigned.
Others were cleared.
I apologized at a department meeting.
Not theatrically.
“I made a decision based on anger rather than individual facts. It was reversed. That was my error.”
The room remained awkward.
Good.
May you like
Apologies do not deserve applause.
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