"A grievance procedure is a means of internal dispute resolution by which an employee may have his or her grievances addressed. Most collective bargaining agreements include procedures for filing and resolving grievances." - Read More Here.
Asha (not her real name) slipped into the chair behind her desk, her shoulder laden with anguish and despair. She stifled a silent sob while Ruth (not her real name) and me exchanged glances, then dropped our gaze upon the work at our desks, each wrapped in rueful thoughts.
This wasn't the first time Asha brought a sob to her desk.
Ruth, Asha and me shared a genuine camaraderie. Ruth was gentle and kind, never a harsh word crossed her lips. The petite Asha was a breath of fresh air, charming and delightfully cheerful. We got along splendidly. Our job description overlapped in a congenial manner. The nature of their character ensured that no friction prevailed. Unfortunately, some good things never last. Mr Goliath (not his real name) joined us as our immediate superior. His desk was located outside our room on the first floor along a passage that led to the washroom. We numbered about 30 employee at this particular branch, one out of many, belonging to a foreign incorporated organisation. The washrooms were located on the first floor and all staff entering the washroom passes Mr Goliath.
The man was a solemn quiet chap with a goatee. His smiles often appeared forced and unnatural, as if convalescing from an imaginary wound. Not much is known of him except that his leisure hours were spent gazing pensively at distant thoughts.
"You okay?" asked Ruth hours later when Asha was calm.
"Yes, yes. I'm all right," answered Asha quietly.
"What happened?"
"He is so mean," Asha groaned as she pointed in the direction of the Goliath.
We had nothing to say and indeed there was nothing to be said. Ruth gave Asha a comforting squeeze on the shoulder and walked back to her desk. I lowered my eyes and a selfish thought nudged my mind. "I won't get involved. As long as he left me alone, I won't get involved."
"He is so mean," Asha had muttered. Yet Mr Goliath is not a foul-mouthed, roguish cad. He never yelled or throw files at you. He never used brutal force or sexually molest anyone. He just kept pretty much to himself in a firm obstinate sort of way. It was the way he spoke, the menace and sarcasm in his quiet voice, his brutish force of will which made him mean. He can be fastidious to a fault leaving no room for any discourses.
In a disciplinary line of work, he would have shined like a beacon in the night. But here, in the service industry, he was a nightmare.
If he had apologized to Asha, we heard nothing of it. They made their peace but it wasn't long before Asha slipped into the chair behind her desk and once again, stifled the injurious sob.
"I won't get involved. As long as he left me alone, I won't get involved." the thought reiterated itself. People fight, they make up. Then they fight again. Part of life. Very typical. Very natural. Nothing to fret about.
And then, one fine afternoon, it was the gentle Ruth who dashed into her chair to stifle the extraordinary sob. In a flash, we knew what had happened. Asha bent over her work as I did mine, stealing the occasional glimpses at the curly locks of hair shielding the lowered teary face of Ruth.
"I won't get involved. As long as he left me alone, I won't get involved."
*******
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
- German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)
*******
Yes. It finally happened to me.
The detail of the instance is lost through the passage of time. (Twenty years, to be exact.) I only remembered my rage and tears of indignation. All sorts of unladylike thoughts rammed through my mind, The mean Goliath had uttered hurtful words I no longer remembered.
Did this justify some sort of action, I wondered as I discussed the matter with my husband. He thought it did. I was torn by indecision. The Goliath was my immediate superior and one does not lock horns with the immediate superior. The politics did not work this way. Yet those who shared my story encouraged me to act and soon I was troubled by another thought. If I invoked the Grievance Procedure (see above), am I being spiteful? What happens to "The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth?" Would God be displeased if I take this path?
The days went by and the minutes slipped through the hour. Mr Goliath was not remorseful. I was not decisive.
In those days, I had a habit of flipping the bible randomly and reading the passage that revealed itself. (Later, I learned that this was wrong for some reason I no longer remembered.) Unfortunately, no earth-shattering revelation came from this end. Knowing that this matter required some resolution, I brought my troubles to God in prayer. And the living God answered.
(to be continued)
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