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Kip:No, hence the meeting. I’ll let you know how it goes. Have a good day.
Me:You too, babe.
Kip:LOL.
Me:Sorry too soon?
Kip:Not at all. Gives me the warm fuzzies.
I smile.
Me:Never given a guy fuzzies before.
Kip:<3
Chapter Fourteen
Kip
I pick up my iPad and take it and my phone through to the board room. Technically, the office is closed for Christmas, but Helen, our head of HR, has called a meeting to discuss the situation with Craig. She’s in her forties, with short dark hair, and she exhibits a calmness even in heated situations that I’ve always appreciated.
Damon and Marama are also present.
“’Bout time,” Damon says as I walk in.
I give him the finger.
“Both mature and professional,” he states, and the two women snicker.
“Where’s Saxon?” Helen asks as I take the seat next to her.
“I didn’t mention this to him,” I advise. “I’m trying to keep as much of this off his desk as I can.”
“Okay,” she says, and smiles.
“Still no sign of Craig’s resignation?” Damon asks.
I shake my head regretfully. “I guess it’s time to fire him.”
Helen leans on the table and clears her throat. “Technically, Kip, he’s done nothing wrong.”
I go still. “What?”
“Legally, I mean. Morally, he’s been a wanker—talking to the reporter was unethical, and offering MOTHER to Sunrise without your consent was out of order. But was it illegal? As far as I know, he hasn’t signed any documentation, because all three directors’ signatures have to be on the paperwork, and Renée would know that. The agreement was verbal, an attempt to force your hand out of embarrassment. I think a lawyer could easily argue that Renée offered double what Genica was offering, and Craig would have automatically assumed that would swing things in Sunrise’s favor. I’ve checked the financial records, and although he paid for several lunches on his business account, there are no suspicious transactions, no sign of money having passed hands. It doesn’t sound as if he’s taken any bribes from Renée.”
I look at Damon. His lips twist in a rueful smile.
She’s right, of course. I hadn’t thought it through. I’ve been so caught up in shock and disbelief that I didn’t consider the fact that I might not have any grounds to fire him. I’ve never had to fire anyone before.
“It’s unpleasant,” Helen adds. “Situations like this aren’t easy to handle. We have to be careful this doesn’t turn toxic. In New Zealand there are several grounds for firing an employee. Serious misconduct, such as theft. Repeated misconduct, including poor timekeeping. Performance. Redundancy. Incompatibility. And incapacity, usually relating to health issues. The closest is probably incompatibility. A personality clash that’s causing a substantial issue to the business would fall in this category. You can also fire an employee for being disrespectful, although he would be within his rights to sue the company.”
“The problem is, it’s a one-off,” Damon says. His words suggest that Helen has already approached him to discuss the situation. Interesting. She wanted someone to back her up when she spoke to me. “It’s not a repeated pattern of behavior,” he continues. “There are hurt feelings on both sides, and we have a duty to try to address those before we turn to legal action.”
I lean back in my chair. “Are you saying you’re happy to just brush off what happened? With how he spoke to Marama?”
Damon frowns. “Of course not. He was out of order. But we need to do this by the book or we’re going to open ourselves up to a whole can of worms.”
“I’m a big girl,” Marama states wryly, “you don’t need to go into battle on my account.”
