4. Taking Action

Sage

S age paced back and forth for what felt like hours. Perhaps, more like minutes, but the agony had slowly sunk into her gut. The sound of voices pierced through his office door. She hesitated and glanced over at the oversized desk. “Is his meeting nearly finished? I was supposed to be here at ten. It’s fifteen after, and there hasn’t been one break in the conversation that’s going on behind that door.” She waved her finger towards Noah Benton’s office. He was LA County Hospital's CFO and ignored the staff like they were some deadly disease.

“He’ll be with you in a minute,” Gina stated. It’d been the same thing the receptionist had repeatedly replied with when Sage asked the question.

Sage sighed and began pacing once more. Back and forth. Back and forth. She had started counting the squares on the carpet until they slowly gave her a headache. She groaned as another minute passed, then another, then ten minutes. She had to be clocked in, and if it weren’t for the fact that he had promised her a meeting, she would have rolled her eyes and gotten over it. It was now down to the principle of the matter.

Sage looked over her notes. The employees’ demands were displayed one by one. More pay. More benefits. More time off. Better supplies. Getting paid for Overtime. The list went on, and the staff signed every demand. They wanted action, and Sage was there to ensure they got it. She closed her eyes, kept pacing, then hesitated and turned to Gina.

“They will be finished at any moment,” Gina interrupted.

Sage nodded and plopped down in a chair that sat against the wall. She checked her watch, cringing. At this rate, she would have five minutes to state her case. If even that. As time ticked by, she continuously checked her watch until she shook her head and stood up. It was at the point of sickening. He was putting her off, and this would have to wait another day.

“Will you check his schedule and let me know when I can meet with him again.”

Gina shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s pretty busy.”

“Clearly,” Sage mumbled. She folded the list and slipped it into her pocket, waiting for Gina to peruse his schedule. The door clicked open, and Sage grabbed the list. Noah and another man exited the office.

“Good to see you this morning, Chris. We’ll make sure to set up that meeting sooner than later.” They shook hands, and Chris turned and left the office. “Gina, cancel my appointments for the rest of the day. An emergency has come up.”

“But Mr. Benton,” Sage started. He looked up and gave a slight now. “We had a ten o’clock appointment, but I imagine you forgot because it’s ten forty-five, and you haven’t once even looked in my direction.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Hello, Sage. I apologize for the delay, but time got away from me. And clearly, I’m in a hurry so that Gina can set you up for another day.”

He started to turn. “Mr. Benton!” Sage hollered. “You can’t get away just like that. The staff want answers. I have many requests, and they won’t be pleased to hear that you’re brushing us off…again.” He turned and stared at Sage. “If you don’t want your staff jumping ship, I suggest you listen.”

He sighed and glanced over at Gina. “Set up a meeting for next month.”

“Next month!” Sage objected.

He shrugged. “It’s truly the best I can do. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He turned and headed back to his office, shutting his door, and leaving Sage staring in his direction.

“Shall I set up that appointment?” Gina asked.

Sage shook her head in disbelief but nodded. If that was all they could get, she would have to accept it, but she could already hear the disgruntled sounds coming from her co-workers when she brought the word back to them.

Gina handed Sage an appointment card, unmoved by Sage’s frustrations. “He better not cancel this one. He’s been putting us off for months, and it’s time he really takes note and listens.” Gina shrugged as her phone rang, and she answered, barely making eye contact as Sage turned and left the office.

Three employees stood outside the door. With his ear against the wall, Marcus cleared his throat and jumped back. “So?” he asked. “How’d it go?”

Sage rolled her eyes. “Didn’t you hear? It didn’t.”

“What’d he say?” Rose asked, moving in closer to them.

“Not much,” Sage shifted her gaze. “He was in a meeting and never came out of it until he had to rush to something else. He said an emergency, and I call BS. He’s ignoring us.”

“Again,” Drake grumbled.

“Precisely,” Sage replied.

“I just don’t get it,” Rose replied. “It’s like they don’t give a damn about any of us.” She crossed her arms. “I’m fed up and know I’m not the only one.”

“It’s number ten on my list,” Sage remarked. She glanced at her watch. “I have to get to my floor. Duty calls.” She held up the appointment card. “I’ll try again next month.” She shrugged. “Sooner or later, he’ll have to listen, right?”

She gave them each an encouraging smile but mentally groaned as she rushed to the elevator. She wasn’t sure of anything, especially how little the hospital truly respected them. She fell back against the elevator as the doors closed her in.

Sage had been an Occupational Therapist at LA County Hospital for over eight years. It had become a never-ending cycle as things had gradually become worse. Everyone felt like overtime was necessary because the work couldn’t get done without it, yet overtime was never approved. Therefore, they didn’t get paid for it. Was it disheartening? Absolutely because a body can only take so much. Sage wanted to help her co-workers and friends have a better working experience, but it couldn’t all be held on her shoulders even though Sage wanted to help them. She had to find a way to do it. Somehow someway.