I want to give thanks to gustavca for editing this story
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My name is Dave Stone and I was in my second year of college and it was getting close to the summer semester. This year I was could either just take the summer off and take a summer job, or sign up for a management internship with one of the companies listed at the college and get credit and a grade for a class.
After talking it over with my student advisor, I decided to take the internship. From reviewing the list of companies in the program I found out that one of the companies from my hometown was in the program.
I filled out all the paper work for the program and asked if I could get assigned to the company in my hometown. I explained it would be a good fit for me because I could live at home while working there.
I didn't tell them my mother also worked for the company thinking it would be better if they didn't have that information. I wanted to get the position on my own.
I kept calling my advisor to see if I was accepted into the program. It was now getting close to the end of the spring semester when I finally was notified that I got the position and had to fill out some more paper work.
I called home to let my mom and dad know. My dad was very happy for me knowing I would be home taking the internship. Even though I wouldn't be getting paid while receiving school credit.
My mom on the other hand wasn't all that happy about it. She just told me they are very strict. She was worry I would get a bad taste in my mouth about management and wanted me to see if I could get a position somewhere else. I told her it was too late for that and I was now committed.
---
On my first day of work, or should I say class, I found myself filling out more paper work.
After lunch I found out I would be working in building D which was not the same location as my mom.
The manager, Tom Hill, who I would be working for grabbed me up from personnel and took me over to building D. He was in his thirties and impressed me right away. He had a great personally and we talked about my classes and what I wanted to get out of the internship.
He told me "you could learn a lot from me or not. It all depended on what you want to put into the work while your here."
After we got to his office he then explained "We run a very tight ship. I've notice that your a local from looking over your paper work. That is why I asked my boss to have you assigned to my section."
Guess I was feeling relaxed because I let it slip "my mom also works for the company but in building C."
"That's ok since this is a small town we have a lot of family also working here. It shouldn't be an issue even if you two worked in the same building." Tom informed me, he then continued " What does she do?"
"I'm not 100% sure what she does but I know she works long hours."
"You did say Building C is where she works? Her name wouldn't be June Stone now?"
"Yes and Yes" I answered.
"I've been trying to get her and her friend Mary Anderson to come and work for me for over a year now."
"I known Mrs. Anderson, she lives across the street from us."
"Enough about personnel. I want you to understand while you're working for me that I'm the boss and I'm in charge. I also have high standards and your internship is to learn more about management, therefore, you're going to learn my standards and help enforce them."
"Yes sir," I replied.
"Hope you learn quickly."
"I don't think I will disappoint you."
"Good. I think you will do well here."
----
I'd now been working for about two weeks and really been enjoying myself when Tom walked up to me "Guess what?"
Answering him very sarcastically, "I'm doing such a good job you're going to let me go home early today."
Now chuckling, "Not hardly. Just wanted to tell you I made a deal with Mary Anderson's boss and she will be moving over here to work. I don't think she is happy about it."
"Really!" was all I could say.
"She should help brighten up the office," said Tom as he walked off
As I was thought about his last statement I understood what he was talking about. Mary was about 42 years old. She always had a smile on her face and was not bad looking. She wasn't a super model but she sure was one of the better looking women in this small town.
---
Monday morning Mary walked into the office with a big smile and a brown box with all of her personal items she brought with her from her old desk.
She was wearing a green skirt which came down to her knees. A white pullover top which showed off her cleavage. She also was wearing nylons with high heels. Her shoulder length blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail today.
Tom walked up to her, "Good morning, Mrs. Anderson, and welcome to our team. I'm Tom Hill your new team leader."
Smiling, "Thank you, Tom. Or do we call you Mr. Hill here?"
"Just call me Sir and we will get alone just fine," Then he spoke loudly, "Dave come over here!"
I walked over from the other side of the room, "Yes sir."
"Mrs. Anderson, this here is Dave Stone my summer intern."
"Oh, hi, Dave." Then looking at Tom, "We know each other, he lives across the street from me."
Before I could say Hi back, Tom jumped in, "Mrs. Anderson, that's nice but here at work he is representing me and you will give him respect and also call him sir."
Then I said, "Hi Mrs. Anderson."
She had a surprise look on her face from what Tom just told her still looking at Tom, 'Yes sir." Then turning to me, "Sorry Sir I didn't mean to be disrespectful."
"Dave, show Mrs. Anderson to her desk."
"Yes sir," Then looking at Mary I said, "Please follow me."
She followed me down the little make hallway between the cubicles. When we finally stopped at a open cubicle with a large desk. I said, "This will be your area to work from and welcome aboard."
She looked around then whispered in my ear, "Be careful. I hear Mr. Hill can be very mean. I mean he has a bad reputation about how he disciplines his employees when they are found to be at fault or not performing to standards."
"Well I've been here for two weeks now and haven't seen him miss treat anyone. You know the rumors could be wrong." Then I walked off letting her get settled into her work area.
----
The next day I was in Tom's office getting my morning instructions from Tom. When he was finished, "Sir, I need to ask you about a rumor that I been hearing since I've gotten here?"
"Go ahead and ask, Dave."
"Well, I've heard that you can be a little ruthless when it comes to correcting your subordinates for failure to perform to standards."
"Hmm, Dave, let me put it this way. We are in a small town and the bosses don't want to fire anyone, for two reasons. One is it is hard to replace workers since most eligible workers already work here. Second, it would hurt the local economy if we fired people because of mistakes. So the owner of the company would rather we come up with some kind of discipline instead of firing them. So, I guess I'm more hard core on the way I make corrections on people."
"How does it work?"
"The boss has given us a lot of leeway into how we do this. Only rules I know is after we bring them into the office and informed them what they did wrong, we have to ask them three questions.
First one, do they want to take what ever punishment I have come up with. Second, if not would they rather quit. Third, if they don't want to quit or take the punishment then we can fire them or demote them."
"I hope to see you counsel someone one day."
"Don't worry, Dave, if I ever have to I'll let you watch."
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Tom never asked who told me about the rumor but I think he knew. As the weeks went by he kept giving Mary a larger work load. She ended working longer hours just to keep up. After a few weeks she started to get bogged down and falling behind with her work.
I was talking with Tom when Mary walked up, "Sir, I seem to be falling behind on my work and was hoping you can have someone to help me."
Looking annoyed, Tom replied, "I'm not sure how things are done in your last office but here I expect you to do exemplary work, to be on time, to be efficient and professional. I will tolerate nothing less. Your workload is the same as everyone else. Yes, my standards are high, very high!"
I noticed that most of the other workers' eyes were now on us. Tom also noticed this, then added, "Now stop complaining and get your reports finished."
-----
A few days later Tom was reading one of the reports from Mary and he didn't look happy. "Dave, go tell Mary I want to see her now."
I acknowledged Tom and went down to Mary's cubicle, "Mary, Mr. Hill wants to see you right now."