Chapter 4

"I'm here today to announce the new attendance policy we'll be implementing starting next week."

At Friday afternoon's summary meeting, I calmly walked up to the conference room podium and opened my prepared PowerPoint.

I saw Rosemary below already had her phone out, either live streaming or recording video aimed at me.

Jerry, Kiera, and other colleagues whose leave requests I'd previously rejected had excited gleams in their eyes.

"In the spirit of humanitarianism and employee care, starting next week, all submitted leave requests will be unconditionally approved."

"Additionally, the monthly leave limit will be adjusted from three times to five times. We're eliminating the monthly perfect attendance system, and all leave—whether personal, sick, or the 30 annual vacation days—will be treated equally as paid time off."

Thunderous applause erupted below.

If everyone took the full five days of leave each month, combined with weekends, it would essentially give everyone an extra mini-vacation each month.

Not to mention the existing 30 annual vacation days plus various national holidays.

The boss looked at the smiling employees below and applauded approvingly as well.

"Hazel, let's drop the leave request issue, but what about you publicly insulting me last time?"

Rosemary's sarcastic voice cut through the entire office, even prompting some people to start jeering.

"Exactly! Rosemary fought for everyone's legitimate right to request leave. I'm voting for Rosemary!"

"Rosemary only voiced what we working people are thinking. What right do you have to insult her in that video! Apologize to Rosemary!"

Looking at those indignant faces below, I thought of the job-hopping approval I'd just received before the meeting. Under everyone's astonished gazes, not only did I not look upset, but I actually smiled.

"I'm sorry."

Cheers erupted below.

On the phone screen next to my computer, Rosemary's live stream was also flooded with netizens' cheers.

「The old witch apologized to our Rosemary!」

「Congrats to our Rosemary for fighting and winning an apology from the unscrupulous company plus legitimate rights!」

「Rosemary is the most amazing little lamb!」

Within minutes of submitting my resignation, the boss messaged me.

"Hazel, you don't need to do this. It's such a small matter—is it really worth resigning over?"

"The company really needs talented people like you! You don't need to resign just because I asked you to change the attendance policy. That would make me seem too unreasonable as a boss."

Reading the boss's message at this moment, I only felt it was hypocritical and pathetic.

As a hands-off manager, he probably couldn't imagine what kind of upheaval the new attendance policy would cause.

"No thanks, Mr. Lee. Thank you for nurturing me all these years. Let's part on good terms!"

The boss didn't say anything more to retain me and directly approved my resignation.

I decided to give myself a proper vacation during my last month before leaving, now that the new attendance policy was in place.

Right then and there—the remaining 30 days of annual leave for the year? Taking them!

The five remaining leave opportunities this month? Using them!

That evening at home, I started packing and booked flights, hotels, and a tour group for a 30-day European trip.

I even turned off my work phone completely.

From today on, whether those colleagues showed up to work or not had nothing to do with me!