Gemotions

The air conditioning in the office felt frigid as Mark stared at the email. The accidental sharing of salary information had revealed that Susan, who’d been with the company for less than six months, was earning more than he was. A knot formed in his stomach.

He recalled Susan’s dedication to her work, her enthusiasm, and her willingness to go the extra mile. He had seen the pressure she was under, new to the job, working long hours, always striving to improve. He remembered his own struggles when he first started.

He found her at her desk, working late. He walked over, a genuine smile on his face. “Hey, Susan, looking busy,” he said, leaning against her desk. “I thought I’d stay late too, perhaps we can get through the backlog."