Documented.
No ambiguity.
He was terminated.
Two HR managers who facilitated schedule changes were disciplined; one resigned.
Caroline faced decision.
Termination was legally supportable.
Simone read recommendation at 11:30 p.m.
David sat across.
“What do you think?”
“She should go.”
“Why?”
“She put hands on your property.”
“That’s not enough.”
“Supervisory retaliation culture.”
“Yes.”
He looked.
“You disagree?”
Simone read report again.
“No.”
“Then?”
“I’m asking if firing her fixes anything.”
“It removes bad lead.”
“Yes.”
“Also sends signal.”
“Maybe wrong signal.”
David frowned.
“What signal?”
“Everyone below her learned same rules.”
“If we fire visible person and keep incentive structure, we teach company to hide better.”
David nodded.
“Still might need fire.”
“I know.”
Next morning, Simone met Caroline.
No lawyers initially.
Caroline asked union rep? Private aviation, non-union. She brought counsel later. But first voluntary conversation.
They sat in hangar conference room overlooking gold jet.
Caroline looked exhausted.
No white uniform.
Navy sweater.
Black pants.
No gloves.
She looked younger.
“Am I fired?”
Simone answered:
“Not yet.”
Caroline laughed bitterly.
“That sounds hopeful.”
“It isn’t meant to.”
She looked toward jet.
“I was wrong.”
Simone waited.
“I know report.”
“Good.”
“I want to say something before.”
“Okay.”
Caroline looked at Simone.
“I did judge you.”
“On what?”
“Clothes.”
“Age.”
“Race.”
The last word barely audible.
Simone said nothing.
Caroline continued.
“I hate admitting race.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t think of myself that way.”
“That doesn’t answer.”
“I have Black friends.”
Simone closed eyes.
Caroline immediately looked ashamed.
“I know.”
“Please don’t finish that sentence.”
“I know.”
She rubbed hands.
“I served Black owners.”
“I served celebrities.”
“I’ve defended Black crew.”
“All true.”
“Also irrelevant.”
“Yes.”
Simone leaned back.
“Bias does not require consistency.”
Caroline nodded.
“I saw a young Black woman dressed casually and my brain placed you below owner.”
“Yes.”
“That was wrong.”
“Yes.”
Caroline looked toward jet.