Trading Coupons For Conviction

It was the end of the month, the day Altair Solutions was supposed to run payroll, but my bank account remained stubbornly empty. I marched straight into the Finance office.
Maddie Price, the payroll clerk, barely glanced up. Her tone was all practiced, dismissive boredom.
Didnt you pick up your annual Employee Perk Vouchers last week? she asked, a manicured finger tapping her keyboard. You got ten of those
1,000?off?2,000 coupons, remember? Thats ten thousand dollars in total credit. Your monthly salary is eight grand, so we actually topped you up with a two-thousand-dollar bonus, Liv. You should be thanking us.
I stared at her, my eyes wide with disbelief. They sure as hell didnt mention this when they handed out the vouchers yesterday. More critically, the coupons were only valid at a single online grocery store.
A store where an item that cost 0-09.99 at a regular supermarket was mysteriously marked up to $49.99more than double the price.
This was a classic shell game. The boss was just moving money from his left pocket to his right, and Id essentially been working for free.
I slammed the stack of glossy, worthless paper onto her desk. I dont want the vouchers. I need the money deposited into my bank account, today.
Brad Thompson, our Sales Manager, sauntered over, his brow furrowed in a theatrical expression of annoyance.
What is all the fuss, Reynolds? The company gives you two thousand dollars extra in perks, and youre here making trouble instead of showing gratitude? Youre going to buy groceries anyway, Liv. Were doing this for your convenience.
My voice was shaking as I forced the words out. What youre doing is illegal, Brad!
He scoffed, a look of utter contempt crossing his face. Then go ahead and sue me. You think I, a legitimate business owner, am afraid of a tiny little employee like you?
Just then, my phone chimed with a text message alert.
It wasn't a work message.
Ms. Olivia Reynolds, Congratulations on successfully passing the 2025 Metro City IRS Enforcement Agent Examination.
1
I was chewing on a stale piece of sourdough toast, scrolling through the 'Scroll' app while waiting for my practice test results.
I landed on a thread that instantly captured my attention.
The day I passed the Federal Service Exam and got my IRS acceptance letter, my boss approved my resignation immediately, and my final paycheck and bonus landed in my account that same day, down to the last cent! And this was a company that was notorious for stalling payroll.
The comments section was full of people cheering: Thats the taste of victory, Queen! Love to see it!
I cracked a wide, hopeful smile, fantasizing about the day Id get my own moment of righteous triumph.
But the moment was fleeting. My screen was constantly peppered with notifications. It was a Saturday, and yet my boss, Brad, couldn't stop generating work on a whim.
So irritating.
One minute, he demanded I organize all the client data by EOD. The next, he wanted a new strategy proposal drafted. When I was hired, it was "guaranteed weekends off," but that had morphed into "flexible work-from-home" hours, which meant being tethered to my laptop 24/7.
Altair had recently executed a round of layoffs under the guise of "cost reduction and efficiency." Now, with fewer people, the workload was the sameI was doing the job of three people. But my mother needed expensive imported medication every month. I needed this humiliating paycheck. I just had to keep my head down and work like a rented mule.
At exactly 11:00 AM, my mock exam results popped up. Holy hell! I improved again! My Analytical score is over 80!
I chewed faster, exhilarated, before realizing: Moms prescription! Rent! I quickly navigated to the pharmacy site and hit 'Confirm Payment.'
Payment Failed!
It hit me then. My paycheck was supposed to arrive on the 15th. Today was the 25th.
The next morning, I went straight back to the Finance office. Maddie didn't even lift her head, giving the same pre-rehearsed line.
Didnt you pick up your annual Employee Perk Vouchers last week? You got ten of those 1,000?off?2,000 coupons, remember? Thats ten thousand dollars in total credit. Your monthly salary is eight grand, so we actually topped you up with a two-thousand-dollar bonus.
I was stunned. But wasnt that a company welfare perk?
Maddie rolled her eyes and jabbed her finger at a line of minuscule print at the bottom of the voucher. I squinted to read the almost-invisible text.
These vouchers are issued in lieu of the current months salary. Receipt of the voucher constitutes agreement to these terms. Final interpretation rights belong solely to Altair Solutions.
Who in their right mind would notice that tiny, fraudulent print? I pushed the stack of coupons back at her.
I dont want the coupons. I need cash. I have rent to pay and I need to buy my mothers medication.
Maddie produced a sign-off ledger. You signed this last week when you accepted the vouchers, Liv. That means you agreed to the terms. Your salary for this month is those coupons.
I almost laughed from the sheer audacity.
This is an unconscionable contract, Maddie! That voucher is only usable at some unknown online market. I checked the prices! Shampoo that sells for 0-09.99 at Target is $49.99 there! I worked my butt off for a month only to end up subsidizing the capitalist?
Is your work done, Reynolds? Did the company hire you to stand here and chat?
That impatient, grating voice belonged to Brad. He was a master of the corporate PUA game.
I quickly explained the situation. He nodded, utterly devoid of shame.
Its company policy. Besides, we gave you two thousand extra dollars. Instead of showing gratitude, youre looking for a fight. Youd spend the money anyway, Liv. Were just making things convenient for our employees!
My hands were shaking with fury, but the thought of my mothers deteriorating health forced me to suppress it. I had to try and reason with him.
I managed a weak, ingratiating smile. Brad, please. My mom needs ongoing medical treatment. I genuinely need the cash.
He thought for a moment, nodding thoughtfully. I understand, Liv, I really do. Youre one of the companys core employees. Altair always looks out for our best people.
My heart skipped a beat. Maybe theres a chance?
Brad signaled to Maddie. Bring it out.
First, I saw a stack of crisp billscash. I started to smile, ready to thank him, but then I saw what Maddie was holding out: a loan agreement.
Brad leaned forward. Liv, the company knows your family is struggling. So, how about this: well lend you the eight thousand dollars. But we do have to charge interest, of course. Ten percent a month.
He tapped the loan document. Sign this, and the money is yours.
I was so incensed I finally laughed. I had been working the equivalent of three full-time jobs, seven days a week, and now I was expected to owe the company $8,800?
Brad, the Labor Law clearly states
His face instantly hardened. He cut me off, his expression contemptuous.
So you dont want the job, is that it? Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a decent job right now? If you walk, there are a hundred people waiting to take your seat!
I took a deep breath. I knew he was right, but the humiliation was suffocating. The anger flared back up.
I met his gaze, my own completely defiant.
Ill quit. But first: One, you will settle my outstanding salary, properly. Two, I finalized that thirty-million-dollar sales contract. I require the one-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar bonus we agreed upon.
Brad sneered. You can get out right now, but you wont get a single dime.
Just then, Sarah, a colleague I was friendly with, walked in. She quickly pulled me aside, whispering urgently.
Ill lend you the money for your moms meds, Liv. Jobs are impossible to find. Dont do anything youll regret.
I took a moment to calm down, a plan beginning to form in my mind.
I returned to my cubicle, ignoring the constant ping of Slack notifications. I focused instead on the worthless voucher in my hand.
The online store was called Maddies Market. Could it really be that obvious?
I decided to investigate after work to confirm my suspicion. The result: I watched Brad drive Maddie to the entrance of Maddies Market. They shared a long, passionate kiss before parting.
If I remembered correctly, Brad was married. And, more importantly, Altair Solutions was entirely funded by his wifes family. Veronica Thompson, the 'boss lady,' had a reputation that preceded hera total firebrand.
I quickly took several discreet photos, then anonymously bundled the images with a copy of the fraudulent coupon and emailed them straight to Veronica.
The next day, Brad was about to tear apart the proposal I'd spent all night creating, picking at every minor detail, when Veronica burst through the door.
Brad Thompson, you bastard! How dare you sleep with your staff behind my back in my own company!
She launched her designer handbag at him, hitting him hard on the shoulder. Then she reached up on her tiptoes, grabbed his ear, and twisted viciously.
Brad cried out, wincing. Honey, honey, this is a misunderstanding! I'm the boss, give me some respect!
Veronicas voice rose to a screech. A misunderstanding?
She slapped the photos and the voucher onto his desk with a loud smack! Then she stabbed a finger at them.
What is this? Are my eyes deceiving me? Youve been skimming off employee salaries and giving the benefits to your tramp!

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