I have noticed some lapses lately. The production of pen A is decreasing and I have done all my analysis but couldn't detect what the challenge is. Being the first female manager of the farm with 90% of the staff are males, I know quite well that this role will be tough and also as a new staff member as well.
Most HODs of each unit are male. I made them head of department because of their skillfulness but some of my staff are still asking questions of 'how can a lady come and rule us' but with this, I have smarted them all and am firm with my words and work so that there won't be any lapses. I called for a meeting to notify them of what is happening on the farm.
Good afternoon to you all… I spoke firmly. You have been doing great with your work and as the first female manager, I want to thank everyone for your cooperation. A single tree cannot make a forest, it needs the support of others so without your cooperation, I the manager cannot achieve her obligations effectively. So thanks once again. But there have been some lapses lately, the production of pen A is decreasing. I have analyzed the decrease and found out that we have a pest amongst us. I want to encourage all HODs and staff to please and please stay out of smuggling because if caught, you will be relived from your duty . So do your best and you will be proud in the future. Thanks!
'They all applauded…. and dismissed the hall'
After the close of the day, I was in deep thoughts in my room about this staff smuggling eggs. Peroratively, he is doing it intentionally just to see me terrified and leaving my job. I have to strategize how these smugglers can be caught because my MD has told me that the previous manager always gets them caught and it's making me feel weak. So I made a close friendship with some of the HODs. I played the role of a mother and a manager at the same time. I also bought the book called 'The mafia manager by V' where I learnt about office politicking.
That to survive, be patient, watch, listen and say little; to win, be patient, survive, plan and then strike swiftly. Author V. Went further to expatiate that there is always at least one friendly office mate but there looking to do you bad always, whether you think so or not, and you must know about him/her to defend yourself. You learn about him through grapevine, and you take heed, then, and do-unto him as he would do unto you and you do it before he makes his move.
The HODs of that pen with decreased production is a female and her name is Ruth. She has informed me earlier that someone is always coming to her pen every night to smuggle some eggs in the same position. The entry and exit foot step trace's were always left behind in the same position unknowingly to that smuggler.
The next day after meeting with Ruth I applied Author V. Office politicking principles and played smartly likewise. On grading the staff attendance register, I noticed that the staff in charge of pen 5 has not resumed early to work early for some days now and he is the HOD of that Pen.
I moved to where his pen was and noticed that his birds had not been fed this morning and it was past eight already so I went to Pen 1, Ruth said the eggs in that position were out. Could it be this man as I thought quietly? I saw Uche taking feeds from the factory to his pen. Uche is one of my right-hand men. He's the HOD in the factory unit so I asked after Sunday's whereabouts.
'Madam, make I nor lie for you to….that guy dey carry eggs every morning from this place dey goes sell as he spoke in broken English.
really!
Yes, madam na make he nor dey resume on time in the morning and he dons dey take the eggs for long.....nor be today he starts self.
But we have security, how could he smuggle eggs out… I thought within. Ok! Thanks, Uche '
I notified my MD immediately! He was shocked and said we should be quiet so that when he came, he would call the police officers to come and investigate him.
After two hours, I saw him walking down from the gate. I called him to my office and questioned his whereabouts. He told me cock and bull stories as usual during the interrogation, my MD worked into my office after seeing my messages. I told him of his normal cock and bull stories he always tells me whenever he comes late ...my MD slapped him on his cheeks and called the police officers to come. The officers came and investigated him. Finally, he admitted to all that he had been smuggling eggs out of the company… the police officer handcuffed his hand and locked him up.
This gave the rest of the staff a serious warning to stay out of the company's properties.
The work of the day was so tedious the more due to decrease of staff. I have to improvise someone else for the time being before employing a new staff in his position.