Fools Give You Reasons, Wise Men Never Try
There is something horrible about Shingles, but there is something even worse about lying in misery and contemplating unemployment after working your tail off for the past two years. We had purchased a second home to get closer to my job, not having had the option to take the time off and completely move; I was faced with an endless parade of deadlines at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center.
I had never been let go from any position before and my husband and I were worried about making two house payments, our oldest child in college, and no longer having my own business. I would re-enter the work place with nothing, not even a list of my accomplishments for the past two years as my name was being systematically erased from all of my contributions other than the lodge room painting.
On July 7, 2016, at 10:00AM, I walked into the CEO’s office for my scheduled meeting. He was sitting behind his desk with the head of Human Resources sitting across from him, notebook in one hand and pen in the other.
With his hands folded, the CEO gestured for me to sit. He smiled and said, “Well, I never like to draw these things out. I’m letting you go.”
“Why?” I asked. “Does it matter?” he responded.
“Well, I would like to have a reason,” I insisted, “as people will ask why I am no longer working here and I would like to be able to give them the reason.”
The CEO chuckled, “It really doesn’t matter, I simply eliminating your position.”
“What explanation can I give people when they ask why I am no longer the Curatorial Director at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center?”
“Just tell them that we don’t need any of the skills that you have to offer anymore.”
I was shocked at his rationale. “In your time of need,” I continued, “I dropped everything to help the Freemasons of Minnesota during the planning and construction of this entire building – subsequently closing my business.”
“Well no one told you to do that!” he interjected.
“I was devoting every minute that I had to this project and simply couldn’t accept any other business, even postponing existing contracts indefinitely. Furthermore, you offered me a staff position, not a temporary role until the center opened. I moved to the cities to help the Freemasons of Minnesota in their time of need. It is only fair that they help me get back on my feet now.” We agreed to the terms and conditions of my termination.
The following week, I received my official letter eliminating my position, solely signed by the CEO; it did not include any of termination conditions we discussed. I shouted to my husband in the other room,” You won’t believe this! He couldn’t even be honest about letting me go!”
My husband frowned while reading the letter and then said, “But he can’t do that!”
“Well, apparently he can,” I answered. My only option was to leave with my head high, not make a ruckus, and try to forget what had turned into a nightmare job. Something would come up; it always does. However, I might need a break from the Fraternity, especially Freemasonry in Minnesota.
To be continued…
