And it is the same now.
Hye-won glared at the back of the balding man standing in front of the elevator, as if trying to pierce through him.
So-young greeted him first.
“Department Head Park.
Good morning.”
“Oh?
Oh… ahem.”
Department Head Park of the HR Department, who had initially turned and smiled brightly, quickly averted his gaze as soon as his eyes met Hye-won’s.
This was because Hye-won, with narrowed eyes, had given him a cold greeting with just a slight nod of her head.
Dark clouds gathered over Hye-won’s head once more.
Rumble-crash-
The events of last Friday came to mind.
That day, Hye-won had received a summons from Department Head Park.
“Uh, Assistant Manager Lee.
You see…”
Unlike Department Head Park, who usually spoke before thinking, he was beating around the bush, which was highly suspicious.
“Please speak, Department Head.”
Hye-won, wondering what kind of stern words he was about to utter, prompted him directly.
“Hmm.
Well… It’s about the team leader position this time.”
As soon as the word ‘team leader’ came out of Department Head Park’s mouth, Hye-won’s eyes sharpened.
This time, it was Hye-won’s turn.
The previous team leader, whom Choi Jeonmu had pushed in, quit that very position after less than six months, boasting of their impressive resume.
It was a position that Hye-won should have originally taken, but Choi Jeonmu had temporarily put it on hold, claiming he wanted to “innovatively improve the planning team’s constitution.”
With the current team leader quitting, Hye-won had no doubt that it would naturally be her position this time.
However, based on Department Head Park’s expression and tone, a reasonable suspicion arose that something was amiss.
“What about the team leader position?”
As she asked again with the whites of her eyes showing, her voice was already a tone higher.
“This time, it seems the CEO himself brought someone in.”
“Huh?
Sigh.
Department Head!”
A sigh, mixed with disappointment and anger, burst out.
In short, it meant she had been passed over for promotion again.
Damn it.
This is what’s bad about small to medium-sized companies.
The company was often swayed this way and that by the whims of the CEO and executives, leading to many complaints among employees.
The barrier to entry was low, but the turnover rate was also high.
Hye-won knew that fact well.
To enjoy such luxuries as a good salary, welfare benefits, systematic work processes, a rational promotion system, and work-life balance, she would have to move to a larger, more reputable company.
Yes.
I know, but I just can’t do it.
Even then, Hye-won had to swallow a sigh instead of her resignation.
She had pulled herself together all weekend, but facing Department Head Park’s face again, she couldn’t help but feel that wretched feeling welling up inside her.
When the elevator doors opened, Department Head Park got in first, followed by Hye-won and So-young.
As soon as they got in, Hye-won spoke first.
“Ms.
So-young, is the new team leader starting today?”
The elevator was only big enough for about four or five people, so pretending not to hear was impossible.
“Probably.”
“Hmm.
I wonder how many months this one will last.”
At her insinuation, clearly meant for someone to hear, Department Head Park shifted his gaze around and cleared his throat unnecessarily.