Good for them...not so good for Rachel

As introductions were made Rachel was introduced to the Axiom reps and they were introduced to her as well, everyone shaking hands and welcoming one another. The male who looked to be about roughly the same age as her was Mr. Michael Masterson, maybe a little older, and the pitch black haired woman, who appeared older, wearing a daring vibrant shiny purple satin blouse and glasses was Ms. Miranda Lawson, and the blonde woman, was Dr. Alexandra Solomon.

Mr. Delaco, the company CEO opened up, thanking everyone for coming and began, talking mostly directly to Rachel, but for everyone else’s benefit too. Everyone else in the room except Rachel, knew the purpose of the meeting, and had received a confidential, leaders only, email that contained the scope of the workstudy, and the approved Axiom Dynamics workforce development program, the reason Rachel had been selected, and of course, just watch she had been selected for.

“Ms. Freeman, I'll start by saying that I truly appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to meet with us. You are such a hard-working and intelligent young lady, embodying the spirit of this company and all that we hope for in our employees. As you know and are well aware of the discipline and public punishment policies that have been publically enacted into law but not yet implemented within our company. Now that the COVID pandemic has passed and we are bringing people back into the office, we know there will be an adjustment period so the Board of Directors recently voted, unanimously I should say, to adopt the new discipline and public punishment laws put in place by Congress and this Administration...."

As Mr. Delaco spoke, the mention of the new discipline and public punishment laws, Rachel crossed her legs and blushed, feeling everyone in the room looking at her! She didn't understand why they were telling her this, but she did not like the feeling she had. The sense of nervous unease was building!

The changed laws were bad enough! Requiring her to bend for discipline for any wrong doing, no matter how trivial! Rachel hated the laws! She hated how it seemed to directly target women and in many situations made it impossible to avoid being punished! But Rachel, like many women, did their best to avoid the humiliating command to 'bend over'

But knowing the company she worked for planned on incorporating discipline and public punishment to their policies made Rachel even more nervous and uneasy.

Mr. Delaco was still speaking "...We’ve been meeting with HR and the Board of Directors (BoD) and decided to try Axiom’s more unique and customized development strategies and we will be conducting a four week workforce study on the implementation of corporal punishment within the workplace to gauge its effectiveness, to develop the proper punishment procedures, and to ease the female workforce into the new post-COVID workplace. This is why you are here today.

As one of our top employees you present a much needed perspective within the scope of the study. We have selected the various participants from across the spectrum, those who truly do need their performance improved, and behavior corrected, and ones like yourself, the cream of the crop if you will, the best and brightest, who embody the core values of this company and can and should serve as role models to our female workforce.

We are conducting this study to review the impact when we implement the punishment program within the company to monitor and improve overall employee performance, provide stern correction to naughty, disrespectful, and unprofessional behavior, as well as motivate and provide a strict reminder to women to control their behavior, take all of these factors and tailor the punishment program to our unique needs, company culture and mission. I can see that you have a question Ms. Freeman, what is it?”

Rachel had been sitting and listening intently. Of course keying in on what role that she would play, and just what she had been picked for, but she did not know what corporal punishment was, she had never heard that term before, and figured it was something to do with the already existing performance appraisals and the time off awards. A broken system that did not work, so she was confused as to why they would be trying to use something that had proven it was ineffective at employee motivation. But including the discipline and public punishment was a nightmare! And she did not know what the term 'corporal' meant.

“Yes Sir, and thank you, it’s a privilege to be considered for something like this, I think? Thank you for those kind words, and I would gladly help in any program that could help improve the company, but what is corporal punishment? I know the new laws...”

She asked innocently unaware of the significance of what she had just unknowingly said. Her words, implying that not only was it a privilege to be selected for the workforce development study, but that she would gladly help as best as she could in the study.

With Rachel looking at Mr. Delaco, she did not see Dr. Solomon’s eyes divert to Mr. Masterson's, a slight smirk on her face.

“Ah yes, a very good question. I do appreciate your honesty, willingness to assist us and your eagerness, it will help. Simply put corporal punishment in the sense of the new laws is the legal term for the mandated discipline that constitute a physical punishment, such as paddling, strapping, caning, or flogging. Delivered in a purposefully strict and stern manner to provide immediate punishment for a woman's bad or poor behavior. With this understanding presently in mind, this is where your participation is required."

Immediately it felt as if she had been punched in the gut, her fears realized Rachel could not help herself and audibly gasped! Her eyes widening as she looked around the room, everyone else seemed not at all surprised by his response. As if his response in explaining what corporal punishment was normal! Like talking about spanking was normal and commonplace in the professional workplace. And his obvious implication that her involvement was somehow required!

“Wait!.....are you talking about spanking me??!!”

Rachel shrieked in a near panic, bolting upright from her chair, slapping her hand down on the table, her voice rising as the implications began pouring through her mind, looking around the room, trying to find someone to blame for the suddenly awkward position she was in. She would not stand for not just herself, but women in general, to be taken advantage of and publically punished in the workplace! She couldn't sit by and allow this to happen! She wouldn't be bending over for her boss, not now......not ever!!

“Did you know about this?” She asked her supervisor, blaming him!

“Well I –" He started to reply before she angrily cut him off, looking back at Mr. Delaco, accusatorily.

“And who is going to do it it? You! I…. I haven’t even been bad! I'm not going to let any of you spank me!”

“Rachel Freeman! Your anger and frustration is misplaced. This is the law now you know this, you even said yourself you know the laws! Your disrespect and insubordination is very telling for exactly why a program like this is required!

I've got half a mind to bend you over my knee right now young lady and punish such disgraceful behavior!! But I'll give you a choice. Sit back down or pack your things leave."

Mr. Delaco snapped, gesturing at the three Axiom reps and her supervisor. Rachel stood there...shocked. The Director had outright threatened to spank her! His serious firm tone caught her completely offguard, she never had a man speak to her in that manner! It felt incredibly....degrading!

Rachel clenched her hands into a fist at her side! This was entirely unfair but she clamped her mouth shut, glaring at Mr. Delaco and promptly sat down. She needed this job...

“That's a good girl Rachel. Now. Addressing your question, no, I will not be the one to spank you as myself and the rest of the BoD will remain impartial and not show favoritism in this study, which is why Axiom is here with us today. Mr. Masterson, if you would.”

Rachel felt absolutely humiliated! Utterly embarrassed and as Mr. Delaco called out Mr. Masterson, her head snapped over to look at him.

“Thank you. My associate Ms. Lawson and I will be the ones to apply any punishment as required as part of the study….”

Mr. Masterson continued talking, but Rachel had already tuned it out. Lost in the thought of a man roughly looking to be her same age and a slightly older woman……. strictly and sternly spanking her!! Adding to her shame they were both white!