She was especially harsh with anyone uncertain.
At 10:05, a permanent employee arrived two minutes late from break.
Linda said:
“Watch clock.”
Nothing else.
At 10:32, Mateo returned three minutes late after helping another worker locate replacement safety glasses.
Linda made him stand beside line while she announced:
“Temporary means trial. If you can’t manage twelve minutes, don’t expect permanent badge.”
She then assigned him trash removal during his next break.
Off the clock?
Naomi asked Mateo later.
He shrugged.
“Usually.”
“You work during break?”
“Sometimes.”
“Paid?”
“Break paid.”
That part maybe legal.
But humiliation remained.
At 11:10, Kiara questioned her timecard.
She showed Naomi quietly.
“Yesterday says six forty-eight out.”
“When did you leave?”
“Seven.”
“Twelve minutes.”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Linda says we didn’t hit target so cleanup after shift doesn’t count unless approved.”
Naomi’s stomach tightened.
“Were you working?”
“Yes.”
“Cleaning station?”
“Yes.”
“Required?”
Kiara looked at her.
“You ask a lot.”
Naomi smiled.
“New.”
Kiara laughed.
Then lowered voice.
“Don’t ask Linda.”
“Why?”
“You’ll be cleaning toilets.”
There.
Naomi said nothing.
Kiara continued.
“She doesn’t mean every time.”
“Just if she thinks you’re being difficult.”
“Does anybody report?”
Kiara glanced around.
“People need job.”
That sentence would stay.
At noon, Naomi sat with temps at a break table.
Mateo.
Kiara.
A white man named Eli.
A Somali American woman named Asha.
They talked about buses.
Rent.
Overtime.
Nothing about company until Eli said:
“Permanent employees get first overtime.”
Mateo replied:
“They should.”
Asha shook head.
“Agency says hours possible, then we come and schedule changes.”
Kiara said:
“Linda gives overtime to her favorites.”
Eli laughed.
“Favorites mean people who don’t talk.”
Then he noticed Naomi listening.
“You union?”
“No.”
“HR?”
“No.”
Technically.
Kiara smiled.
“She’s spy.”
Everybody laughed.
Naomi laughed too.
It felt terrible.
She was, in a sense.
That ethical discomfort followed her.
After lunch, she texted Sarah from restroom:
I understand why you hated this.
Sarah answered: