I'd been promoted to branch manager a few years ago and was very successful in that role. I prided myself highly on the output of my branch. I'd taken a new approach when interacting with my subordinates. While my predecessor used fear tactics to persuade, I worked to get to know and understand the workers that were placed under my supervision.
My approach to each person was different and unique to their perspective and motivations, which I was highly skilled in identifying. I had difficulty, however, reading a particular young woman who worked in accounting. She was somewhat abrasive, but usually very reliable. We got along relatively well, but our conversations were always very surface-level, and I had a hard time gauging her drive.
She did seem to have trouble getting to work on time. It wasn't really that big of a deal at the time, and she was very productive when she did work, so I didn't bother bringing it up, at least until it started encroaching on our morning huddles. We had daily morning meetings where we'd orient our goals for the day, and she began showing up halfway through or missing the meetings entirely. This interruption was affecting everyone, so I called her into my office to discuss.
I talked about the importance of the meetings and how her tardiness was affecting the office. "I can no longer tolerate this. I need you to be on time from this point on," I told her directly.
She didn't seem to care. She scoffed at my words, saying, "Well, you're not gonna fire me, so what're you gonna do, spank me?"
I ignored her comment about firing. I, of course, had no intention of doing so. I also dismissed her mocking tone but addressed the question about spanking directly.
"If that's what it takes to get you to work on time, then yes," I said calmly, but seriously. Her defensive posture transformed. She seemed rattled, and her face flushed red. I took her flustered demeanor as progress.
"Or, I can dock your pay if you'd prefer that," I said, maintaining my calm manner.
"No," she answered quickly. "I'll be on time."
"Good. I'm glad we understand each other," I said with a tone of finality, communicating to her that I was done with the conversation.
She left my office, and I remained, thinking about our interaction. She was definitely surprised when I addressed her spanking comment head-on. I wondered why she suggested that, even in jest. I didn't really mean it when I answered her. I was merely meeting her energy. Her response told me something, though. It was the only time I'd seen her be agreeable, and maybe a spanking was just the thing she needed to reach her full potential.
Little did she know I employed a strict spanking routine with my wife at home and was quite comfortable handling a paddle.
I pulled on this string in our many interactions since that meeting. I got similar reactions. Her cheeks would blush in embarrassment at a subtle warning, and her brassy attitude would convert to a compliant stance at the mention of a spanking. I watched closely for warning signs of closed-off body language, but she remained open, even seemingly hopeful. I started suspecting she was being purposely sassy sometimes to get a warning.
Inevitably, she was late to our huddle again, and I met with her privately after the meeting. I spoke to her directly, leaving nothing to the imagination. "If this happens again, you will be getting a spanking," I warned her.
She looked up at me with wide eyes and said, "Yes, sir."
I had a feeling this was something she wanted, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want it too. Her submission was arousing, along with her playful, bratty attitude. Although we were both enjoying this, I still needed to send a stern message that her behavior was not okay.
I figured I'd need to bring my paddle in to work the next day. It was a good thing I did, because she was so late that she completely missed the meeting. I called her into my office and asked her what happened.
"I don't know; I overslept," she answered coyly, proving to me she wanted this.
"You understand what this means, don't you?"
"Yes, sir," she answered, slipping into her submissive role.
"I just warned you about this yesterday," I said, shaking my head, playing the disappointed boss. "At the end of the day today, you will be staying afterward for your punishment. You will be submitting yourself to a bare-bottom paddling. Do you understand me?"
She nodded with her face red and eyes to the floor. I almost felt bad for her, but it was evident she'd purposely earned this. Even so, I needed to set a firm precedent so she understood how seriously I took her misconduct. I needed to make sure she understood that this wasn't a game. Her behavior needed to change.
"You're dismissed."
Once she exited my office, I drafted up a document of consent that, once signed, would act as a legally binding agreement between us. Once agreed upon, she would be fully submitting herself to being disciplined to the extent that I deemed necessary.
"***Consent Agreement for Disciplinary Action***
This agreement is established to outline and document the employee's voluntary consent to engage in consensual disciplinary action, specifically the administration of corporal punishment in response to workplace misconduct.
The employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that upon initiation of disciplinary actions, they voluntarily waive any right to interrupt the ensuing consequences, which shall be determined at the discretion of their direct superior. The employee fully understands and agrees that termination of the session is not permissible until its completion.
This consent is voluntary and not under any duress or coercion.
All details regarding the disciplinary actions and this agreement shall be treated as confidential and shall not be disclosed to any third party without explicit written consent from both parties.
By signing below, the parties acknowledge their understanding and agreement to the terms outlined in this consent agreement.
Employee's Signature: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Company Representative's Signature: ________________________
Date: ________________________"
I stopped by her desk and handed her a hard copy of the document. "I expect this to be returned to me in a timely manner," I said, locking eyes with her. She definitely responded better to strict orders than to suggestive directives. She returned the document shortly to my desk, signing it without hesitation. I signed my portion of it and locked it away in my filing cabinet.