An HR Director had considerable authority, sure, but nowhere near enough to shuffle people between positions at will. Any appointment above mid-level required the Vice President's approval. Changes to core positions had to go through the executive committee. And every one of those approvals ultimately landed on my desk, requiring my signature.
But Maureen didn't hesitate for a second.
"Obviously."
"Let me tell you something. Last month, some guy in the marketing department mouthed off to my cousin once. Just once. My cousin had him shipped off to the warehouse. The man had been with the company six years, and he didn't even dare make a peep about it. Gone, just like that."
"So don't bite the hand that feeds you. My cousin's reach inside this company is beyond anything someone like you could imagine."
I went quiet for two seconds.
It hit me. Last month, there had been a solid veteran employee transferred from marketing to the warehouse. I'd thought it was strange at the time and asked why someone that capable was being moved to a warehouse. The Vice President told me the employee had requested the transfer himself, said he wanted a change of pace. I figured he was burned out from the grind in marketing and signed off on it.
Turns out it was Maureen's cousin pulling the strings all along.
I drew a slow breath and said, my voice low, "Your cousin really knows how to work the system."
Maureen completely missed the edge in my words. She preened.
"You're only figuring that out now?"
"My cousin says in a few months, he's going to bring our whole family into the company. Every last one of them, men, women, young, old, planted across every department. Once that's done, the entire company answers to us."
What an HR Director indeed.
Quite the ambition.
The corner of my mouth curled. "Isn't your cousin worried the boss might find out?"
Maureen scoffed, utterly certain of herself.
"My cousin already thought of that. The owner of this company is the richest man in the city. He's running over a dozen major corporations. You think he has time to care about the smallest branch office in his portfolio?"
"As long as the boss isn't around, my cousin runs the show. Period."
I smiled.