Honest conversations about the psychology of modern work culture
“You’re right, but it doesn’t matter,” my sister Helene said. This was her response after I shared about my refusal to comply with a background check request. The company I worked for ran one when I was hired. A client wanted to run their own. I said no. “What do you mean?” I asked. “You’re …
Insomnia has never been convenient. At 2:13 AM in a Las Vegas hotel, it became unexpectedly enlightening. Pacing the carpeted corridor of the 23rd floor, I crossed paths with my colleague Sarah exiting our boss David’s room. She wore yesterday’s conference attire, hair disheveled, heels in hand. Our eyes met briefly before she hurried toward …
My boss stood in my office doorway, arms crossed. “Corinne, the client presentation needs to be completely redone by tomorrow morning.” “Absolutely! I’d be happy to make those changes for you,” I replied, my voice rising half an octave. “Is there anything specific you’d like me to focus on?” The words felt sticky-sweet in my …
“Just get through the day,” I whispered, gripping the steering wheel. The first sign wasn’t the insomnia or the Sunday night dread. It was the morning I sat in my parked car outside the office, unable to open the door. Twenty minutes passed. My reflection in the rearview mirror showed dark circles under eyes that …
Brandon’s fork stopped mid-air, his pasta forgotten. His face, usually so animated, had gone completely still. “What do you mean there’s no inheritance?” he asked, voice low, deliberate. The night had started as a celebration. A nice dinner at his favorite Italian restaurant, my upcoming retirement, his job promotion. Light conversation, nothing serious. Then he …
“Do you have children? Are you planning to have any soon?” The interviewer’s voice was casual, like she was asking about my preferred programming language. My pulse quickened. That was the third interview that week where my reproductive plans had somehow become relevant to system architecture. Each time, the question was wrapped in friendliness, tucked …