Chapter 7: The Inspectors Arrive

The next morning, I showed up at work as usual, but Karen blocked the door.

“Matt, you were absent without leave yesterday. According to company rules, you’re fined $150.”

“You must be mistaken—I was on leave.”

“Did I approve your leave?” she shot back, rolling her eyes.

I almost blew up, but decided to play along. “Fine. Give me the fine notice.”

She pulled a slip from her pocket, signed it, and handed it over, smug.

Just then, two inspectors in uniform walked in. Karen squinted at them, trying to figure out which department they were from. Her hand shook as she tried to snatch the fine slip back, but I grabbed it first.

Karen panicked: “Matt, you, you, you… I was just joking!”

“Heh, a joke? Sorry, I wasn’t joking.”

I turned to the inspectors. “Labor law clearly states companies can’t fine employees in any form. Only authorities can issue penalties, and even then, fines can’t exceed 20% of a monthly salary for major losses. My base is only $400.”

“Karen, you’ve got some nerve pulling this.”

I could see a couple coworkers peeking around the corner, holding their breath, eyes wide. Someone from IT, coffee in hand, ducked behind the copy machine. The whole office was frozen, waiting to see what would happen.