The female employee wasn't actually intent on leaving; where else could she find such a good job?
However, she also didn't want to apologize, feeling too embarrassed to back down. Didn't she have her pride?
Xie Sui walked over and said, "I heard everything. Those who don't adhere to workshop hygiene rules, disrupt production, talk back to superiors, and are slacking off today have all been fired."
Everyone was shocked, "Factory Director Xie, you can't fire us."
Xie Sui was bewildered, "This is truly strange. I hired you to work, not to be treated like royalty. If you make mistakes, can't I fire you?
What kind of logic is this? Come on, tell me, who can come up with something so clever?"
Xie Sui's gaze turned cold. Those who were slacking off felt guilty. They had no choice but to say, "We were placed here by the government. We were all formal workers before. You can't fire us for a small mistake. You can punish us, but you can't just have the final say and fire us on a whim."
Xie Sui replied, "You might have forgotten that I accepted you out of respect for the government, but that doesn't mean you can act as you did before. Slacking off, instigating trouble – the country doesn't have to support you forever.
This is my factory, not a state-owned enterprise. Are you my parents that I have to support and provide for?
Since you're saying this, I'll go find Secretary Tang. If he says you're right, I'll apologize to you.
The rest of you continue working. If production is delayed, I can give bonuses, and I can also deduct wages. Work honestly, and I won't treat you unfairly. But if you think you're superior and want to leave, scram! I don't keep ancestors!"
The workshop director felt a surge of relief. These troublemakers were all people placed by higher authorities. They didn't have much skill but a lot of arrogance, and he couldn't outright fire them without giving face to those above.
Since Factory Director Xie had said this, if they still couldn't figure it out, they should leave.
"You, you dare to fire us, we'll report you to the government!"
"Go ahead, the gate is over there. I'm not stopping you."
Xie Sui was truly puzzled. Where did they get the confidence to threaten him?
The female employee, unable to back down, led more than a dozen people away. The production line slowed down due to the lack of personnel.
Xie Sui said, "If we're short on people, go recruit. Don't hire from the government placements; find honest and diligent workers. With such good wages and benefits, I don't believe we can't find anyone."
The workshop director said, "That's easy. Plenty of people want to join our factory. It's good they're leaving; it frees up positions. Factory Director, it was my fault for not managing them properly."
"It's alright, you are very serious and responsible, I know that. But sometimes, you don't need to be so polite. Some people just take advantage when you're nice.
Oh, and I have some good news for everyone. Our factory is planning to build staff housing. All workers who have been here for over a year will be eligible to receive housing."
"What? Housing?"
The workshop erupted instantly. The workers were so excited they could have jumped. They could actually receive housing? Even state-owned factories were experiencing poor performance and found it difficult to allocate housing. Most families lived in cramped spaces of a few dozen square meters, barely daring to get married.
"Yes, it's still in preparation, but construction will begin by the end of the year. Work hard, everyone. No matter how I stir things up, Xie Sui will never owe you your wages. Rest assured."
The workshop director was also excited, "Did you hear that? Stop listening to rumors. Don't you know how you've been treated since joining the factory?
Anyone who causes trouble again will not be shown mercy."
"We won't, Director Zhao, don't worry. We won't leave even if you chase us away."
Director Zhao chuckled and scolded, "Work hard. If you violate production rules, you'll still be kicked out."
Xie Sui said, "Alright, let's all get back to work. Working with Xie Sui, I will never treat you unfairly. What others have, we will have, and what others don't have, we will also have."
"Thank you, Factory Director."
Xie Sui waved his hand and left the workshop.
He then visited the cafeteria, dormitory, and other areas. He had also been in manufacturing in his previous life, owning over a dozen electronics factories, and could spot management loopholes at a glance.
The cafeteria food needed to be improved. If they were really making money, the cost of food was negligible. The factory director should raise the catering standards.
The dormitory conditions were the same as at present, so there was nothing to complain about. Most workers were from the county town and went home after work, so not many people stayed in the dorms.
Afterwards, they would build new factories and gradually improve everything.
After Xie Sui completed his rounds, he returned to his office and found Gu Lei, whom he hadn't seen in a while, waiting there. "Brother Xie, you're finally back."
Gu Lei was very excited and also worried. He had doubts about what Yan Xiaoliang had said.
He had just returned and was unaware that Xie Sui had fired workshop workers and promised new housing for everyone.
"This is my hometown. Where else would I go if not here? What have you been busy with? I haven't seen you all day."
Xie Sui sat casually in his chair, appearing laid-back and boneless, yet he exuded a sense of pressure on Gu Lei.
"I, I went out to discuss some business. That's why I wasn't here today. Usually, I'm at the factory."
"What kind of business requires the deputy factory director to personally discuss it? Gu Lei, I've always treated you well. Don't be foolish."
Gu Lei broke out in a sweat, "I won't, Brother Xie, don't worry. No matter how much Yan Xiaoliang offers me, I haven't sold you out."
"It's fine. If you feel Yan Xiaoliang has a brighter future and you want to follow him, I have no objections."
Gu Lei hastily assured him, "No, I've never had such thoughts."
"You can go now. Think about how you want to be the deputy factory director."
"Okay, Brother Xie, call me if you need anything."
Gu Lei left with a heavy heart. Uncle Xu said, "Xiao Sui, Xiao Gu is quite good. He handles factory matters well, and he's doing a decent job as deputy factory director."
Xie Sui smiled, "If Uncle Xu says he's good, then he's good. I was just giving him a little warning to prevent him from making mistakes out of momentary confusion.
That fellow Yan Xiaoliang is still scheming and wants to challenge my position. Does he think he can be king of the county when I'm not around?"
Uncle Xu was speechless, still so young and competitive.
"Then what do you plan to do? Squeeze his factory until he goes bankrupt?"
"No need. He's just a clown. No need to deal with him deliberately; he'll ruin himself. Is such a clown worth my personal attention?"
Once the news of building staff housing spread, who would even remember who Yan Xiaoliang was?
His factory's workers were losing focus and wanted to jump ship to our side.
If you provide sufficient benefits to your employees, they won't leave even if you try to drive them away.
Gu Lei walked out of the office and saw the workers beaming with joy, working with more spirit than during the New Year.
What was going on?
Director Zhao saw him and said, "Brother Gu, when you brought us brothers to follow Factory Director Xie, it was the most correct thing you've ever done."
"What's gotten into everyone? They're acting like they've had a shot of adrenaline."
"You don't know yet? Factory Director Xie is building new housing and will be distributing it to everyone. We private factories can also get housing now."