Suspicion Ch. 13

"Because, I submitted my resignation today too, effective in six weeks," I was already smirking in the dark as I said that, "although I'm not actually going back to work. I'm using up my accrued PTO to free up my time until then."

Kathy, of course, was horrified!

"But Paul! What are you going to do? Are you going to make us move? Is this because of my affair?" Kathy was just bursting with questions.

I actually reached over and turned on the lights, because I was not going to explain our future plans in the dark!

"That's better," I proclaimed, "now, where were we. Oh yes, my job."

"At the end of work today, Eric, the G.M. of our division here, came by to let me know that in six weeks, Equity plans to close down the maintenance department, and outsource its functions," I told her and then gave her some time to absorb the information.

"It's being done as a cost savings move across the company. Equity management thinks they can save 10% on what the company pays for maintenance now. Well, I know where the fat is in my group, and I also know that the real cost issue is that corporate accounting applies the corporate overhead rates to my department, which adds about 30% to the 'accounting' cost of running the department," I explained, giving Kathy a little insight into Equity's cost issue.

"Eric and I put our heads together on this, and came to an agreement. I'm going to organized a new company to provide the maintenance services that my department currently provides, and I'll pick up the good people, and let Equity dump the laggards, and Eric will give the new company a contract at a price 10% below what the department is currently costing," came my continued outline, "That will actually allow me to capture the 20% difference, not including what I pay myself in salary. It should be a very profitable business."

"Understand that I was going to have to go out and hire some good office/administration management type person to help me run the company. But, I hope that since you don't have a prior commitment any more, that maybe you could take that job on!" I finished. Kathy looked at me with an astonished look on her face.