Page 4 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

‘Of course.’

‘Good. Then you’re probably also aware that it’s not as simple as just stripping out half the workforce.’

‘Absolutely.’ I nod along knowledgeably.

‘With that in mind,’ Sharon continues, ‘we wanted to talk to you about what that might mean for you personally.’

Here we go.

I glance across at Derek, who, having said nothing so far, just looks awkward and a bit shifty. I wonder if he’ll be for the chop. For a senior manager of communications and PR, he has the charisma of a four-day-old turd.

‘Of course, yes.’ I lean in, consciously mirroring Sharon’s body language. ‘I’m keen to hear where you think I fit into the new structure. It’s no secret that I’m looking for a step up. The bigger the better, if you know what I mean.’

I let out a punchy, boisterous laugh that echoes round the bare white walls, before falling on an uncomfortable silence. Derek’s lack of reaction is nothing new. But I’m well accustomed to the alpha-female office banter and innuendos that Sharon throws around. Normally, matching her style goes down well.

‘I am aware of your aspirations.’ Sharon clears her throat. ‘Unfortunately, that’s not what we’re here to talk about today.’

‘We’re not?’

‘No, Liv.’

Recognition dawns and something suddenly cuts through my mind: a razor-sharp disappointment. Why did I not think of this before? With there being redundancies, all the senior management jobs will be filled. Frustrating as it is, my opportunity is not happening now. I need a change of game plan – fast.

‘Ofcourse.’ I emphasise my understanding. ‘There probably won’t be any vacancies – for now.’

‘That is indeed the case.’ Sharon confirms my statement. ‘However, we’re not here to talk about a future role for you at all today.’

‘Err… I’m sorry…’ I’m suddenly alarmed for the second time this morning. ‘I don’t understand.’

I glance at Derek, who has retreated behind his phone again.

‘What I’m saying, Liv…’ Sharon purses her lips thoughtfully ‘…is that we don’t see an appropriate role for you in the new structure – at all.’

A chill creeps up my spine. ‘You’ve lost me.’

‘As you know, we brought you in a grade above the other senior consultants,’ says Sharon. ‘And in the new structure, there are no communications roles at your level.’

‘Right.’ I pause – so thrown by this turn in the conversation that the usual confidence and ease with which I conduct my interactions is starting to waver. ‘Wait… are you saying… I’m displaced?’

‘That’s exactly what I’m saying.’ Sharon’s tone and face are neutral, her earlier jovial demeanour gone.

I feel the colour drain from my face. There’s no job for me at all? I’m so shocked, I can’t speak. My mind is locked in a tornado of utter disbelief. It takes all my effort to escape the giddiness and gather myself together.

‘If I’m displaced,’ I venture cautiously, ‘doesn’t that mean I should have the opportunity to apply for other roles through the redeployment process?’

‘Ordinarily, yes.’ Sharon nods. ‘And you still can. If youreallywant to do that. However, we don’t see an opportunity for you. Unless you want to take a role at the grade below?’

I instinctively wrinkle my nose at this suggestion.

‘I thought not,’ Sharon continues, ‘which is why we’re here today, Liv. To spare you a long and painful redundancy process, we want to offer you a settlement agreement. It means an enhanced financial package and extra time to look for alternative employment. You could go on garden leave from today – rather than working your notice.’

‘A settlement agreement?’ I blanch at this revelation. ‘And what if I don’t want that? What if I want to take the chance that a role might come up?’

‘Then that’s your choice.’ Sharon’s tone has hardened slightly. ‘But it’s very unlikely. If a promoted role does come up, the competition will beverystiff.’

‘But I’d still have a chance?’

Sharon takes a deep breath. It’s clear her patience with me is eroding. ‘Liv, you’ve given a lot to this company, and your efforts have not gone unnoticed, but no, I don’t think you’d have a chance. You’re not a good fit for the senior management roles in the new structure.’

---