Living with Savanna - Time stood still

Friday 29th March 2019 started off like every other work day for Savanna until she was summoned by her boss into the conference room. She picked up her notepad and pen as always because there was an unwritten rule to take notes during meetings. Savanna was however surprised to find the MD already seated in the room. Her mind raced because there had been issues with her unit and the MD had complained earlier about missed deadlines. She sat down and faced both of them wondering what the impromptu meeting was about.

"I'm sorry Savanna but this is not working out, you are not a right fit for our organisation and we have to let you go. I am really sorry." Those were the words of the MD to Savanna that evening. She faced her boss in confusion but he was lost for words. Time froze. She looked back at the MD wondering if she missed the joke but that was an exercise in futility since he meant every word he said.

Savanna had joined the company on the 14th of January 2019 a little over 2 months so she was still on probation, but the company apparently had a clause in the contract that allowed them to terminate members of staff even during the probation period.

Can you explain what the right fit means? Savanna asked when she finally found her voice with tears rolling down her eyes. How come I was subjected to rigorous interview sessions involving 5 different groups and no one realized I wasn't the right fit, she continued but the answers were not forth coming.

Savanna finally put her self together and continued, "I think I should be given a chance before a final decision is made on this issue. You can set a one month target for me with clear deliverables, and if I'don't meet up then ask me to leave." That appeal did not have any effect because a final decision had been reached long before that meeting was arranged.

The MD said something strange to Savanna, "it's not about you but this was a decision made by some higher authorities, HR will get in touch with you for exit discussions and the options open to you". This part of the conversation was strange because Savanna works directly with her boss and the MD and she never worked or had any dealing with the top leadership of the Group outside the country.

When it became apparent that there was no head way with the request, the MD left Savanna and her boss alone and he obviously knew something he was not able to share with her.

Savanna went back to her  desk after awhile but her red eyes didn't go unnoticed by Florence who seats directly in front of her. Are you okay, she asked and Savanna responded in the affirmative. She put up a straight face and carried on as if everything was normal until closing time when she left to go home.

Several things raced through Savanna's mind:

• Why did she move to this new job and suddenly she was more or less jobless?
• How will she break the news to her mum knowing that she had been in this same situation in 2016 when she was asked to leave? (This story will be shared in future).
• How will she manage being unemployed again?
• Was God still present in her life?
• Was there something she could have done differently?

All these filled her mind as she drove home wondering what life held in store for her...