Madeline's Revenge on the Boss
On the last workday before Labor Day, the boss suddenly announced in the group chat: After ten months of pregnancy, my beloved wife has successfully given birth to our baby boy!
Both mother and son are doing great! Such joy!
The chat immediately exploded with congratulatory messages from coworkers. Feeling generous, the boss announced two "special celebration bonuses" would be added to our next paycheck.
For our 300-person company, the total bonus pool was just $30.
I rushed to complete the required paperwork and ended up receiving a "whopping" 17 cents after taxes.
Colleagues were quietly grumbling about how stingy the boss was, pointing out that this "bonus" was less than what they'd get docked for clocking in one minute late.
I didn't say anything.
Every penny counts right now. I'm so broke that I'd even pick up a penny on the sidewalk.
After complaining for a while, everyone quieted down and focused back on their work.
As the end of the workday approached, my colleagues started muttering again.
"They said payday was end of month, why haven't we received anything yet?"
"Yeah, what company waits until the 30th to pay last month's salary? Don't tell me they're delaying it again?"
"Felix is such a monster, holding our paychecks again. His kid was just born - you'd think he'd try to build up some good karma!"
Felix is our company's boss. While he generally maintains a mild manner with everyone, he's notorious for being a cheapskate who exploits his workers.
Seeing no deposit notification from my bank account, I started getting anxious.
Typically, the 30th isn't just our regular payday. Our quarterly performance bonuses are supposed to be paid at the end of August too.
Though it's not a huge amount, it means everything to me—That's the money that could save my mom's life.
When work hours ended, Felix had been playing dead since accepting everyone's congratulations in the group chat, completely avoiding the topic of why salaries hadn't been paid.
Seeing no hope for payment, everyone started packing up to leave, secretly cursing Felix under their breath.
Just then, HR Director Nina came clicking in on her heels.
With a polite smile, she clapped her hands to get everyone's attention and asked us not to leave yet, then said, "I'm sure you've all heard? Mr. Blackwood welcomed his son today, both mother and child are doing well!"
