How Donald met his Waterloo

Yasmin Jaldin

Donald was employed in a few establishments which gave him little satisfaction. He served short spells at every job. Thus he was a rolling stone. Often he would boast of his past experiences and his close associations with the staff. It was never so, he had a cold shoulder and was unfriendly and very unpopular. Majority of the staff disliked his attitude and kept his association at bay. This was the reason that led Donald to quit jobs frequently. His only aim was to make money.

Very soon once again he was out of job but it was not for long, since lady luck smiled on Donald and he was now in for a pot of gold. Having befriended a top official, he secured a General Manager's position at a prestigious institution. During the first few months of his appointment, he was very friendly towards his subordinates. He operated to get an inkling of the job and to obtain the views of the staff of his appointment. In this instance, everyone took a great liking towards the big boss and many volunteered to guide him. In no time he learnt the background of the work and thought he would master it all by himself without obtaining the assistance of his subordinates.

Little did Donald realise that he was now stepping into an ill-hole which would lead to the doom of his career. When tasks were delayed and he was unable to meet deadlines, he entertained tales carried to him by the lowest rungs of the staff which led him to associate with a handful of the institution's 'dropouts' and 'tale carriers'. Some of these tell-tales were poor-performers in their careers. They took opportunity to set their rivals against the 'big boss' which led him to be hostile towards them. His target became the most senior staff with years of experience. The unsuspecting staff, unaware of his motive, carried on regardless.

His next move was to place an advertisement calling for new hands for senior posts so that he could oust the long service personnel. Foolish Donald was slow to realise that he was caught 'lock, stock and barrel' by these elements. Obsessed by his appointment, Donald would stand at the attendance machine posing off as to greet the staff, but his ulterior motive was to check the late-comers. He would stealthily summon the Attendance Clerk to notify all persons who were late for work and then issue letters transferring them out to far away places without due notice. No employee was given the privilege to air out grievances since he cancelled the grace time periods and the morning hours of leave, an entitlement enjoyed from the time of yore.

Donald was now living in the lap of luxury with valets at his beck and call and also occupying an official mansion and the use of three to four automobiles. He also indulged in other nefarious activities. He was so obsessed by all the perks entitled that he was not satisfied and requested for more. He embarked on constructing a four-storied mansion for his family by plundering resources.

More so, he resorted to behave as a much sought after hierarchy by employing Security Guards to stand at the doors of his office room and to accompany him on his errands. The one office lift was to be reserved only for him to be taken up and down whilst all staff of the twelve floors had to hanker at the ground and top floors until his errand was completed.

Donald behaved peculiarly.

He employed his stooges at the reception, main telephones and at all the office floors, so that he could learn of gossips who plotted against him. His next move was to resort to fill the vacant key positions in the organization by appointing his relatives and friends so that they too could enjoy all the perks of the organization and whisper bad nothings in his ear.

Donald worked 'hand in glove' with the new appointees thus blocking all information and many matters requiring his explanations were destroyed. He changed all codes of conduct and regulations to his whims and fancies. He refrained from attending important meetings. Thus, there was utter calamity and no progress was made in the institution.

Donald was now intolerable.

This time his unknowledgeable friends were unable to help him. He was subject to give evidence at every Commission but on several occasions he slipped by. The institution was now on the verge of collapse with lack of financial resources. Donald's attitude and selfishness soon became the hub-hub everywhere. The hierarchy was very concerned and, with no alternative, gave him three hours to step down.

The poor man pleaded for his stay.

The stooges who helped themselves during his tenure quietly kept their distance. Since the consequences were very grave, Donald was forced to quit which led to his downfall.