"She seems very experienced and reliable," John replied thoughtfully.
"All three candidates are strong choices," Samuel said. "Do you have a preference?"
John took a deep breath. "Yes, I think Grace would be the best fit for the store. That's my own judgment though I am not that much sure."
"Excellent choice," Samuel said, smiling. "I'll have her called in right away."
As Samuel picked up the phone to call Grace back in, John couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was his first major decision as a business owner, and he wanted to make sure it was the right one.
A few minutes later, the door opened, and Grace walked in. She had a confident, yet approachable demeanor. Her long brown hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and her green eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. She wore a simple blouse and slacks, looking both professional and comfortable.
"Grace, congratulations! John has decided to offer you the position," Samuel said, beaming.
Grace's face lit up with a wide smile. "Thank you so much, Mr. John. I promise I won't let you down and I would kindly beg for your trust."
John smiled back, feeling reassured by her confidence. "I believe you, Grace. Let's sit down and go over the details of the job as we must do it in a contract agreement for a bit of long terms and conditions to meet the standards from both sides."
The three of them took their seats, and Samuel pulled out a stack of papers from a folder on his desk.
"Grace, this contract is for one year. Your starting salary will be around $800," Samuel began, but Grace's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "We are contacting you for a job for one year for $10,000, but the first three months will be paid right away to guarantee the job as our policy states," Samuel said politely.
"Excuse me, Mr. Samuel, but can we discuss the salary a bit more?" Grace interjected politely.
"Of course," Samuel replied, leaning back in his chair. "What are your expectations?"
"Well, considering my experience and the responsibilities I'll have, I was hoping for something closer to $12,000," Grace said, her tone firm but respectful.
John glanced at Samuel, who nodded subtly. "Grace, while I understand your position, we are a small business just starting out. How about we meet halfway at $11,000?"
Grace thought for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "That sounds fair, Mr. John."
"Great, now let's talk about the other terms," Samuel said, making a note on the contract. "You'll be provided with uniforms, overalls, and gloves for handling items in the store. Does that sound acceptable?"
"Yes, that's perfect," Grace replied, her smile returning.
"Additionally, we'll need to discuss your accommodations," John added. "Since you're relocating for this job, I'm willing to help with your housing. I'll rent a house for you near the store."
Grace's eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. "That's incredibly generous, Mr. John. Thank you."
John shrugged modestly. "It's important to me that you're comfortable and settled. I want you to focus on the job without worrying about where you'll live."
Samuel chimed in, "The company also has policies to support employees during their relocation. We'll provide you with a moving allowance and help you get settled in."
Grace nodded, clearly pleased with the arrangements. "That's very helpful. I appreciate it."
"Let's go over your work schedule next," Samuel said, flipping through the contract. "You'll be working six days a week, with one day off. Does that work for you?"
"Yes, that schedule works perfectly," Grace replied.
John leaned forward, a thought occurred to him. "Grace, tell me more about your interests outside of work. I think it's important to know more about you as a person."
Grace's face lit up. "Well, I love reading and hiking. On weekends, you can usually find me exploring trails or curled up with a good book."
John smiled. "That sounds wonderful. I think having a good work-life balance is crucial."
Samuel nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. Now, let's discuss your net salary. After taxes and deductions, your monthly take-home pay will be around $800."
Grace did a quick mental calculation and nodded. "That's manageable, especially with the housing assistance."
"Great," John said. "Is there anything else you need to know or discuss?"
Grace hesitated for a moment. "I do have one question. Are there any opportunities for professional development or training?"
"Yes, absolutely," Samuel responded. "We believe in continuous improvement. We'll provide you with opportunities for further training and development, both in-store and through external courses."
"That sounds fantastic," Grace said, clearly enthusiastic about the prospect.
"Perfect," Samuel said, closing the folder. "I'll have our HR secretary prepare the final paperwork for you to sign."
As if on cue, the door opened, and a young woman walked in. She couldn't have been more than 23 years old, with striking features and an air of efficiency about her. Her hair was a cascade of glossy black waves, and her eyes were a deep, captivating brown. She wore a tailored dress that highlighted her professional demeanor while still being stylish.
"Mr. Samuel, the documents are ready for Mr. John and Miss Grace," she said, her voice soft yet clear.
"Thank you, Emily," Samuel replied. "Emily, this is Grace, our new hire."
Emily smiled warmly at Grace. "Nice to meet you, Grace. Congratulations on the new position."
"Thank you, Emily. It's a pleasure to meet you too," Grace replied.
"Emily will go over the final details with you both and get the necessary signatures," Samuel said, standing up. "I'll leave you to it."
John and Grace followed Emily to a smaller office adjacent to Samuel's. The room was cozy, with a large window letting in natural light. A pot of vibrant flowers sat on the desk, adding a touch of color to the professional setting.
"Please, have a seat," Emily said, gesturing to the chairs in front of the desk. She sat down and laid out the papers in front of her.
"Here we have the employment contract," Emily began, her voice calm and precise. "It includes your salary, benefits, and terms of employment. I'll need both of your signatures on the last page."
John and Grace leaned forward, reviewing the document carefully. Emily explained each section in detail, ensuring they understood every aspect of the agreement.
As they went through the contract, John couldn't help but notice Emily's professionalism. She handled each question with grace and confidence, her smile never wavering. Despite her young age, she had an air of competence that was reassuring.
John was asked to pay the company $1000 for Grace compensation from the contract. He immediately pulled out his old Samsung phone and completed the transactions directly in the company account number that was accompanied by the contract.
Grace glanced at John, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This all looks good to me, Mr. John. I'm ready to sign."
John nodded. "Same here. Let's make it official."
Emily handed them each a pen, and they signed the documents. As John watched Grace sign her name, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He was building something meaningful, and Grace was a crucial part of that.
Once the signatures were complete, Emily gathered the papers and placed them in a folder. "Congratulations, Grace. Welcome to the team."
"Thank you, Emily. I'm thrilled to be here," Grace replied, her smile widening.
John extended his hand to Grace. "Welcome aboard, Grace. I'm looking forward to working with you."
Grace shook his hand firmly. "Thank you, Mr. John. I'm excited to get started."
As they stood up to leave, Emily handed Grace a small welcome packet. "This includes information about the company, your benefits, and some helpful resources for getting settled in."
"Thank you, Emily," Grace said, accepting the packet.
John and Grace walked out of the office, both feeling a sense of anticipation for the future. As they stepped into the bright sunlight outside and walked towards the motorcycle, John turned to Grace.
"How about we go check out your new accommodation now?" he suggested.
"That sounds perfect, Mr. John," Grace replied, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
As they walked towards John's motorcycle, John couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He had taken another important step in building his business, and he was confident that with Grace on board, they were headed for success.
"Okay, before I forget, kindly may I have your phone contact?" John asked courteously.
"Alright… Let us exchange our contacts for easier communication and cash transactions…" Grace said with a smiling face.
" And by the way, your first three months will be paid soon. Would you like the cash or have it over your gadget?
"My phone has some complications and therefore I will prefer the cash because also I will be spending on buying households. Everything I will have to buy, yeah…. Ladies we have a lot…!"
John smiled a little bit before turning to her again, "after promising to offer you accommodations, will you be comfortable?"