Page 31 of Cakes for the Grump

Long-term hiring manager at a subsidiary of Abbot Industries accused of practicing decades-long gender bias.

Shock springs through me, though it shouldn’t. Didn’t I know who I was signing up to work for? I’m not a naïve little summer child. I shouldn’t be disappointed at this reveal. It’s not like I expected better from him, right?

I click on a video link attached to the article. The news anchor describes the evidence emerging asclear-cutanddamning.They talk about how thisstory is indicative of a toxic workplace that the relatively new CEO, Luke Abbot, has undoubtedly inherited as soon as he finally took over from his father, Otto Abbot, last year.

They continue, saying:

“In the past, we’ve heard whispers of cover-ups and internal retaliation for anyone trying to speak publicly about it. Our own VPS News reporters have been blocked access with their PR representatives always declining to comment, regardless of whatever lawsuit or public image trouble their company has landed in. However, in a move that has shocked the business world for being so out of the ordinary for this corporation, and perhaps indicative of the new times we live in, the Abbot CEO held a press conference today directly addressing the issue.”

The video cuts to him. He strides to the podium with no hesitation or fear. However, it’s when they zoom in on his face, do I suck in a breath. Corners of his eyes and mouth are tight. A muscle feathers in his jaw. His pupils are pitiless.

“You’re pissed,” I say to no one.

Does anyone else see it? Nobody in the comment section mentions anything out of the ordinary, their observations a variation of the usual. Fawning (watching how cool and confident he is makes me happy!), derision (corporate shell wanker), and the absurd (justice for monkeys!).

He speaks:“The person in question has been terminated immediately, and every hiring manager in our corporation will be undergoing training to ascertain whether they are fit to keep their position or not. I’ve got no tolerance for this kind of noise. This is not why I want to be in the news.”

He declines to answer further questions.

The reporter goes on talking about claims—still unsubstantiated—that the hiring manager was stripped of all bonuses, and will probably be named in aggressive legal cases. No golden parachute for him.

The video ends, and another follow-up link is suggested.

It’s an op-ed article profiling Luke with the headline:Does The Prodigal Son Have What It Takes To Rule? Experts weigh in.

With a growing lead stomach, I’m still hungry for more information. I click on it and it reads:

What do you think of Luke Abbot?

Gregory:With no presence on any social media platform, he doesn’tcare about being liked. Outside of today, you can’t find him giving anyone an interview. No one knows who this man really is.

Michelle:I’m skeptical. He’s allegedly been groomed since childhood by his father to take over, but in this last year, how many times have you seen his father with him? I can’t even think of one time. So does he have his father’s support? I don’t think so, and for a CEO not to have support from a controlling shareholder on the board, that puts him on very risky ground.

Do you really think there is internal conflict between father and son?

Lafayette:Maybe. The father’s values are well-documented. He’s divisive and regressive, to say the least, but if I were Luke, I would stick to what has worked in the past few decades and keep supporting him. At least, publicly and within the company. Privately, who cares?

Michelle:Most of the shareholders are the old guard. They want to protect their investments regardless of any cost to society’s values. Even if Luke doesn’t agree with their thinking, he should pretend. Otherwise, the board will call a vote of confidence and try to force him out.

Gregory:I disagree. Seriously, if I were Luke, I’d agree to a buy-out and leave the dirty world of big business behind. You’d find me on a beach on an island somewhere sipping martinis! What luck!

I stop reading and think about their words. Since these past few weeks have passed, it’s like I’ve forgotten the type of man I’ve been working under. Have I let myself forget? Is he really a terrible person out there in the world, and somewhat, mostly, kind of always been generally decent to me?

My stomach is not doing well. It’s rolling around.

Earlier today, he was talking about his world, I realize. Telling me about it before news of this scandal broke out. That there are power struggles. Public appearances. Multiple players fighting like bees trapped in a hornets’ nest. How nothing is as straightforward or easily accomplished even when you are in charge.

Lying down, I can’t sleep. The whole day is like a thumb pressing where I can’t reach. I wonder about the weight on the shoulders of a CEO, but also how the world deserves answers after an injustice has been unearthed. My soul aches for everyone who has not gotten the opportunities they deserve for who they are and what they look like.

I’m a bigger, brown-skinned woman. I know what it feels like. It’s politeugliness when they say there’s no room for you. That you should go elsewhere, exist away from them, that you haven’t made the cut.

What makes a good leader, do you think?

On the morning of his company going through disaster, he asked me that. Why? Did he not have the answer or was he gauging my own beliefs? Did he think my stomach would turn on him after hearing the news? That I’d square the blame at his feet because he’s in charge and therefore it should stick to his hands.

Maybe.

What makes a good leader do you think?