Escalated to Freedom

from: Imola Tóth <mailto:[email protected]>

to: Bonnie Alterego <mailto:[email protected]>

subject: resignation

[cid:[email protected]]

Hi,

I am submitting my resignation as per today as field agent, and I'm going home. I can't do this any longer. I'm sorry, but this place is just ridiculous.

I've been mentioning this for nearly a year on the month-end reports. And for what? Nothing has changed! I was just wasting my time and energy.

The expectations from the management are inhumane and nothing has been done, despite the promises from TL side. I feel suffocated here! I feel underappreciated, suppressed and over-controlled. I understand it supposed to be for my benefit, to protect me from getting hurt in action, but truly it isn't. I mean, does the management actually know what they are doing? Their methods are obsolete and rudimentary. We're not in kindergarten anymore.

I am being punished since that incident with that Italian guy. Yes, and I admitted so many times, it was a huge mistake to get involved with that client and his project. Ignoring all the red flags, letting myself believe in lies when I knew better, allowing myself to be manipulated, getting into dangerous situations, yadi yadi yada! I wonder how I even survived, but I was a rookie on the field. I evolved so much since then, but it goes unnoticed.

Okay, there might have been some other mishandled assignments, too... but the analysis shows serious improvement. Not to mention, how well my current project goes for years now.

I think I suffered enough there and then, after that infamous incident (I know it even got included in the training material!). As TL, you see me working hard and improving daily. You send me these awesome monthly reports about my performance, yet I'm still being monitored like I could throw a tantrum any time.

I'm keeping up with the schedules, never late with deadlines, and I'm on time with appointments. I'm working on two fields, tasks are handled professionally, clients are satisfied and leave the greatest feedback, the quality manager handles out impeccable reviews, and I'm working hard overtime while other agents are just pretending to be here!

My colleagues are getting promoted for doing nothing, while I'm stuck as a field agent for years now, without the slightest beam of hope to climb higher on the career ladder.

I see why the system and the management fails - it's in those reports you probably never read. Nor did you forward any of them to higher levels, because there would be at least some changes.

How is it even possible, that an entire office that takes up a whole floor with hundreds of employees, is able to serve any customer globally, except the people who work for them? I mean unless they are willing to lick ass, clearly. Something I am not willing to do.

The management is shaking from the idea of me opening the window when I'm in the office. Nonsense! How am I supposed to live like this?

It's a cabaret! Thank you, I'm done.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Imola Tóth

Field Agent

Real Life Service Agency

________________________________________________

from: Bonnie Alterego <mailto:[email protected]>

to: Lou Inner-Parent <[email protected]>

subject: FW: resignation

Hey Lou,

I would like to inform you that Imola (agent number 19900719) sent another email, which includes that she resigns and goes home.

FYI she actually went home this time. Security confirmed she swiped her card and left it at the front desk.

It's her only office day of the week, as you know she got authorized to continue as a field agent even after piling up serious mistakes. In addition, she didn't ask for permission to go home. She left a sticky note on my keyboard on which she informed me that she goes home and to read her email.

I would like to ask you to support me and the department with this. I didn't have time to check in her folder how many times she resigned in the past 7 years since that incident with the Italian. My guess would be at least 11. I think she's just making another scene to get what she wants, and we'll be back in a couple of days.

But considering the fact that she left home, I am not quite convinced it's gonna be the case. I'm also worried that her behavior might spread negativity in the team and might fuel rebellion in others.

She improved a lot in the past 5 years or so, she's back on the field without surveillance and performed the duties with unmatchable excellence. It's on her monthly feedback reports, but I'm not sure if she's even reading them. She still believes she's being punished for her rookie mistakes.

I was actually considering suggesting her for promotion as Team Lead. The paperwork must be on your table already, waiting for approval. I started to have doubts about this. Should we revoke her access and fire her immediately?

As CEO, what do you suggest?

Mit freundlichen Grüßen/ Kind regards,

Bonnie Alterego

Team Lead

Real Life Service Agency

_______________________________________________

from: Lou Inner-Parent <[email protected]>

to: Bonnie Alterego <mailto:[email protected]>

subject: RE:FW: resignation

Dear Bonnie,

We can't fire agent Imola, she's an important pillar in the company's existence. As TL, I'm sure you're aware of that.

I'm convinced it's just another episode, but we can't blame her for this. She's been seriously traumatized during several field operations. She's been working undercover during The Battle of the Great Personal Depression and was part of the APPCT (Anxiety & Panic Prevention and Control Team).

It's all written in her file. I know it's a large folder, but it's worth to read through it. I suggest you take time and do so if you haven't done it yet. I know you're a new TL and there's a lot to catch up with. This period of the year is also super busy, but it's crucial to understand the background of our agents in order to run the company operations smoothly and effectively.

She's doing an amazing job since she got transferred to the Healing Department. She's also leading popular trainings with our subsidiary and sister companies. The fact that she's on top of the customer feedback leader board each month, and that she received several "Employee of the Month" awards are the proof.

I already approved her promotion as the new TL. I was going to call her in for discussion, but it seems this meeting should take place sooner than planned. I will get my assistant to reschedule my appointments for me.

I am sure agent Imola s going to do fine in her new role, just as you did. There's always room for improvement for everyone, I'm no exception.

Please, leave this incident with me, I'm going to handle it with care. Do not worry about the rest of your team, everyone's doing well in their assigned role and our workflow is running smoothly.

Kind regards,

Lou Inner-Parent

CEO

Real Life Service Agency

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Note: This is my entry for the "I resign from..." challenge.

My idea came from the time when I worked as a service desk agent. We handled every kind of calls and tickets, including resignation requests from Team Leads. Writing this piece as one of those tickets that got forwarded to us via email seemed creative. Some parts of the first email were inspired by an actual resignation email in which the employee was throwing a fit.

My other idea was to place the setting into some kind of customer service agency, where the company symbolizes an actual person (me), and each department symbolizing a different part of the human system- Real Life Service Agency being the personality or soul itself; hence the names 'Alterego' and 'Inner-Parent' based on the theory of the inhabitants of our Inner Self.