It was then that Jessie remembered exactly how much she hated the monthly performance reviews. Sure, the younger employees seemed to love the attention from the management; but as one of Generation X, Jessie had learnt to live by the mantra, "Don't get noticed by your boss - it just means trouble!" So, when Jessie sat down in the Bauhaus-inspired interview chair opposite er supervisor, she felt a pang of dread.

"Good morning, Jessie." Her supervisor glanced down at his laptop screen. "So, how have things been since our last chat?"

If you really cared - if you really had been paying attention you'd know exactly how things have been. Jessie suppressed her dark thoughts and just smiled. "Well, Mister Dornan, I've been working hard on the new project, making progress. It's been quite challenging."

"Really?" The supervisor stared at her. "Challenging? In what way? I do hope the new project is not beyond your capabilities."

Jessie flinched. The word 'challenging' had obviously changed its meaning since her last interview and had become one of those words. "Not at all," she said, hoping the speed of her response would put Dornan at ease. "It has been a wonderful learning opportunity with ample potential for professional growth."

The words tasted like bile in Jessie's mouth. She hated having to hide her true feelings. She hated having to abuse language. If she wasn't careful, there was the possibility that one day she might snap, use the wrong tone of voice or - worse! - say the wrong thing. And then - ?

"Good. Good." Dornan smiled. "And have you identified any improvement spaces?"

Bastard! Jessie smiled. Got to tread lightly now. She took a deep breath. "I know our chief executive made a public statement on agile processes. In the spirit of this, I was thinking that we could address the Q1 procedure? My team noted some scope there." Let's spread the blame ...

Mister Dornan smiled again. "Noted. We shall see what can be done. Now, speaking of your team, how is morale?"

"We had a recent off-site meeting - authorised, of course," Jessie added. "Team morale appears to be good, but - "

"But?" The tone of Mister Dornan's reply was carefully neutral.

"Well, Olly Wake made me aware of some family issues. We have agreed an improvement plan to help him through the immediate crisis."

Her supervisor frowned, considered the answer, and made a few notes. Then he smiled. "Excellent, Jessie. Excellent. I don't think there is anything to be concerned about. Please make an appointment for next month."

"Thank you."

In her haste to leave the room, Jessie almost tripped over something left by the door - something covered in a white sheet. Dornan hurried over to help her to her feet. "Are you hurt?"

"I - I'm fine." Jessie stared down at the mound. "What happened?"

Dornan gave her an absent-minded smile. "That? Oh, Miss Crawley. Yes. Her exit interview did not go well."