“I know what you’re thinking—it’s astronomical, but I’m willing to pay top dollar for my son to receive the best care. Plus, there’s a little extra for your event coordinator position.”
“The salary is very generous, along with covering health insurance and paid vacation time; however, I don’t see FMLA.”
“FMLA?”
I glanced up and caught how his relaxed expression hardened briefly before returning to neutrality.
“My grandfather will be placed on hospice soon, and I have no idea when he’s going to go. I need to know I can take time off to attend his service and be with my family while I mourn his loss.”
“I’m sorry. It completely slipped my mind. Of course, I’ll have it added to the contract. Would a week be appropriate?”
“Two weeks is preferable.”
“I can make that happen. What else?”
“The contract is not clear on when I’ll have dedicated time off. From the wording in the contract and your extensive schedule, it seems I’ll be on duty nearly 24/7. When would I have time off to visit family or run personal errands?”
A faint hiss escaped his mouth as he geared up to let me down easily. “Kiyah, I will not lie to you; 24/7, seven days a week, will be your reality for the next four months until the election is over. I promise that once the election is over, your workload will lessen. We just need to get to November.”
“Are you giving me a politician promise?”
He snorted and shook his head. “I’m giving you a Todd Branson promise.”
He’s a smooth-talker—no wonder he’s leading in the polls by a mile.
“Okay, Todd Branson. I need that in writing. The contract must specify the days and times I’ll be free after the election.”
“Yes, ma’am. What else?”
“Hypothetically, if I want to spend the weekend with my family and you’re out of town, but neither Pete nor I are required to accompany you, am I free to take Pete with me when I visit?”
“You are not permitted to take Pete outside of Austin city limits without my presence. Your family is more than welcome to visit you here as long as you clear it with me first. I hope you understand.”
“I do. I just thought I would ask.”
“Is there anything else you require in the contract?”
“Your contract is missing a sexual harassment clause.”
The room fell so silent that you could hear a mouse piss on a cotton ball.
If this man has a problem with putting a sexual harassment clause in the contract, then we may as well wrap up this interview now. He’s charming, polite, and friendly, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to ignore a glaring red flag.
A heavy sigh escaped him as he reached for his contract copy. “It’s not in here?”
“Not from what I can tell.”
“I had a suspicion that I was forgetting something, and because the thought of doing something so vile never crossed my mind, I unintentionally left it out. You have my deepest apologies. I’ll take care of it.”
“Don’t apologize. You have a lot on your mind. My attorney will handle it.”
“Can your attorney get it back to me in 48 hours?”
“I’m sure he can.”
“That’s great. Because if you accept the position, we need to be wheels up in 72 hours.”
“That soon?”