Sarah
eats out
Sarah
is having a meal with her boss – it is the final part of her performance
management and she is nervous. They are sitting outside the Kensington Kitchens in the late
afternoon.
Boss: Don’t you like your risotto Sarah?
Sarah: It’s fine Dom. I’m just not that hungry you know. Your pie looks good.
Boss:
Yes, excellent! I know I can rely on
this restaurant for good, consistently good food. Consistently high standards are very
important – don’t you think Sarah?
Sarah:
Yes, absolutely. I’m really, really keen
on having high standards in my work all the time. Really.
There is a pause – the boss looks at her
Sarah:
As you know I spent loads of time ensuring the Space’n’Time exhibition was as
exciting and brilliant and well presented as possible.
Another pause
Sarah: And I think it really worked with the
kids. Lots of the teachers said they
thought it helped them understand the space-time continuum better…
Boss: Yes Sarah, your work on that project was very
good – but that was nine months ago. I’m
a little concerned about what’s happened since.
And where we go from here.
Sarah:
Well, I was working on the Dark Side of the Moon project with Jez, but then it
was cancelled… and the Space Station Uranus project would have been ready last
month, but Mark left. The Rings of
Saturn exhibition is going to be ready soon. I’m working hard on it!
Boss: Hmm. I
know you’ve tried hard Sarah. But the
truth is that you need to be a team player to work here, to get these
exhibitions on and the visitors in. Consistently.
Sarah: I work really hard Dom and I am a team
player. It’s not fair to blame me for
all of this. I put a massive amount into
my work. Always.
Boss:
Sarah, no one’s saying you don’t work hard.
But you haven’t always communicated that well – and I think that needs
to change. Don’t look so worried.
You’ve
had a difficult year at home and here, and I think you could do with a new
start. That’s why I’m suggesting a move…. Somewhere less stressful. South Devon. It’s a new, small planetarium, but I want you
to be in at the beginning.
So,
what do you think?
Sarah:
I can’t believe you’re doing this to me after 5 years. You’re just letting me
go – just like that. Well, don’t you
worry about me. I’ll go. Right now.
Boss:
Sarah, don’t get upset. Listen.
Sarah:
I’ve done with listening. I’m out of
here. Goodbye.
Sarah grabs her coat and storms off. Then returns to pick up her bag.
Boss:
Just take some time to think…. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Hey, this is an opportunity, not the sack!
Sarah rushes off clearly upset. A loud sob is heard just before she turns the
corner.
