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Vivian thought about it for a moment before answering. “Well, there are couple of things that my employees don’t like. Firstly, I have a strict no-dating-within-the-workplace rule. I know it’s onerous, but I can’t have that kind of drama in my business.
“Also, you will be asked to work overtime during very busy periods. You will be well-compensated for it, but I understand that especially for those people with young children, it can be a hardship. I do run the daycare late during times when we’re all working long hours, but it’s still not the same as being at home with your child.”
Emma could work with that. She had often had to work long hours at her old job. Lily didn’t mind those days so much, because she got to stay up late and watch TV.
“I can live with that. I’m used to working long hours, and I understand about not dating in the workplace. My old job didn’t have that policy, and there were a few nasty incidents. I’m not looking to date, anyway. Looking after Lily is my sole personal focus.”
“That’s good to hear. Right, I think that’s just about everything. I really like your application, more than any of the other candidates I’ve interviewed, but before we go ahead with anything more, you should meet the rest of the team. I’ll want all of their feedback before making a final decision on hiring.”
“That’s an unusual way to go about it.”
“I want to make sure that the new person fits in. That’s one of the most important factors here. We all need to be able to work together as a team. That and a good strong work ethic are things that any new employee needs to come with. Everything else can be taught.”
“You may have to be patient with me. Like I said, I’m a slow learner.”
“I can be patient. There’s nothing wrong with taking things slow. Now, are you ready to meet the others?”
“Of course. I would love to.”
Emma was surprised when, after introducing her to everyone, Vivian left them alone to talk and mingle. It gave her the chance to talk freely to the other employees, without their boss watching over them.
“So, what’s it like here? Really?” Emma asked the friendly accounts lady—Ruth, she thought she remembered her name was.
“Oh, it’s amazing; I love working here. The salaries are really competitive and the benefits are great. But that’s all on paper. What isn’t written down is that the environment here is better than anything I’ve ever worked in before.”
“Vivian makes her choices carefully,” Jane added. “That’s why you’re here talking to us. She wants everyone here to get along and be happy, and she’s not afraid to put her money where her mouth is.”
“She really isn’t.” Nathan was the head of PR, if Emma was remembering correctly from the introductions. “My house burned down a couple of years ago in a freak fire. Vivian personally paid for me to stay in a hotel near work the entire time it was being rebuilt and even offered me trauma counseling, which helped a lot.”
“It just seems too good to be true. There have to be some disadvantages of working here.”
“Well, Vivian expects a lot of us. She gives us all the support and understanding we need, but in return, she requires our best effort. We’re expected to work hard and put in our all. It’s exhausting some days but satisfying at the same time.”
A couple of people nodded in agreement to Jane’s words.
“What about you, Emma? I see on your application that you moved here from a small town. Why such a big change?”
Emma explained her reasoning, and quickly became involved in a long discussion with Nathan. It seemed that it was Nathan’s daughter who was playing with Lily right now. Nathan seemed lovely, and Emma would feel totally comfortable sending Lily over to his place to play with Miriam, if that’s what Lily wanted.
Lunchtime came, and Jane invited Emma to come down to the cafeteria with them. Vivian didn’t join them for lunch.
“Oh, she always eats in her office,” Jane explained.
“I don’t think she likes me much,” Emma admitted. “She seemed… I don’t know. Cold.”
Ruth shook her head. “Don’t let that bother you. She’s like that with everyone. Vivian doesn’t really like anyone. We call her the Ice Queen—ice around her heart, you know.”
“Doesn’t sound like the best kind of person to work for.”
“No, don’t let her attitude put you off. Vivian doesn’t do personal connections, but she knows how to be a good boss—a really good one—one who shows consideration and understanding for her employees’ struggles. I don’t know if she does that because deep down she does care or simply because she knows that’s how to ensure her business does well, but either way, the results are the same.”
Emma wondered about that. Could anyone really want to distance themselves from all personal relationships, even something as simple as comradery between colleagues?
“Did something happen to her?”
“Not that any of us know about. I mean, some of us have theories, but those are just thoughts without any real evidence.” Jane shrugged. “Who knows why she wants to be so removed from everyone else? It certainly doesn’t interfere with her work, and none of us really has the right to comment on her personal life.”
Emma supposed that was true enough, but she was still intrigued. She couldn’t believe that anyone really wanted to isolate themselves to that extent. There had to be a reason. She imagined how lonely life for Vivian must be, denying herself even the most basic of human connections.
