The Trouble with Human Resources
By Gene Aronowitz
Melissa Townsend, a social work supervisor in a small mental health clinic, moves forward to the edge of her seat, looks at her unit director, Ben Glasser, and says, “Stephanie has to be terminated, but it’s not going to go down well. She disagreed with almost everything on her evaluation and takes every suggestion as a personal insult.”
Ben nods. “How long before her probation period ends?”
“Five days.”
“Then we have five days to let her go without having to prove anything.”
“Right, but she’s out today, and my plane leaves in two hours. Won’t be back for a week. Maybe you could meet with her.”
“I suppose, but she doesn’t know me at all. I’ve never said one word to her.”
“That’s not a problem but, be a little supportive if you can. She’s not going to take it well.”
“Alright, I’ll try to help her deal with it. Listen, Melissa, have a great vacation.”
The next day, Ben walks by Stephanie’s office and sees she’s talking to another employee. As she notices him looking at her, he decides to wait until she’s alone. Later in the day, he sees her talking with some other staff in the hall. He starts walking in her direction but then stops. As she sees him, he nods at her. The following day, still hoping to meet with her more casually, Ben walks over to her office, but again she’s occupied. He nods again, a gesture she acknowledges by lifting her head slightly.
Before leaving work that evening, Ben worries that he’s running out of time and decides to send her an e-mail message:
Stephanie, I’d like to meet with you in my office as early as possible tomorrow. Let me know what time is good.
In her apartment, eating dinner with her best friend, Stephanie hears the phone ping and reads the message.
“What’s the matter, Steph? You look terrible!”
“My boss’s boss wants me to come to his office, but he didn’t say why and it’s a little weird.”
“What do you mean weird?”
“The way he keeps looking at me. It freaks me out. That happened in my last job. My boss kept coming on to me. Actually told me to get real if I wanted to keep working at the agency.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing. I left.”
After the dinner dishes are put away, Stephanie works on a response to Ben’s email and settles on one she thinks has the right message and tone:
I’m free at 1:00. Is that OK?. Please let me know the purpose of the meeting so I can be prepared
The next day, Ben receives the message, and, now only two days before Stephanie’s probation ends, he writes back:
1:00 is fine. I think it’s best if I share the issues with you when we meet rather than by email.
Her suspicions and anxiety erupting, Stephanie requests a quick meeting with Human Resources. She tells the HR Director, Michelle Jones, about the problems she had in her previous job and then says, “I’m a little worried about Mr. Glasser, the way he’s been looking at me.”
“How’s that?”
“He just looks but doesn’t say anything. I feel like he’s stalking me.”
“Listen, I think I should accompany you to the meeting.”
“I’m afraid that would just irritate him.”
It might, but you do need to meet with him. I think it’s best if I’m present.”
Stephanie hesitates but then agrees. Michelle sends Ben an email message:
Stephanie Anderson has received your request for a meeting but has expressed some concern about being with you alone. She and I can meet with you at 1 p.m. today.
Why can’t she meet with me alone?
There are some issues .
What kind of …
Ben doesn’t finish the message, blasts out of his office, and runs down to Michelle’s. “We’re about to let her go. I’m not letting you screw things up like you did last time.”
“I didn’t screw up anything. I saved us from a lawsuit. Ben, I can’t allow you to meet with her alone.”
“There’s no way you’re meeting with us. I’ll fire her by email!”
“Ben, that would be incredibly stupid.”
“You think I’m stupid?
“I didn’t say that. I think we might have a sexual harassment situation on our hands.”
Ben moves closer to Michelle, his six-foot frame dwarfing her, and shouts, “What did you say?
Michelle grimaces and steps back. “Stephanie said you’ve been stalking her?”
“What?”
“That’s what she told me. She thinks you’re stalking her.”
“She’s nuts, just like Melissa said. That woman is paranoid.” Ben clenches his fist, lifts it slightly, screams, “Fuck you Michelle,” and stomps out.
Michelle calls the Executive Director, David Meyer, and says, “I need to see you.”
“OK. What’s up?”
Michelle hangs up before responding, sprints to his office, rushes past his secretary, and, panting, says, “You need to do something about Ben Glasser. He just attacked me.”
“What do you mean attacked? Did he hit you?”
“No, not physically. He yelled at me and used the F word.”
“That goes with the territory, Michelle. You need to relax. Try to calm down.”
“What do you mean calm down? You can’t let him get away with that.”
“I’ll talk with him.”
“You need to do more than talk!”
David puts his hand on her shoulder and squeezes gently. As she pulls away, almost imperceptibly, he says, “Michelle, I’ll take care of it. You know you can trust me.”
