An HR Director had considerable authority, sure, but nowhere near enough to shuffle people between positions at will. Any appointment above mid-level required the Vice President's approval. Changes to core positions had to go through the executive committee. And every one of those approvals ultimately landed on my desk, requiring my signature.
But Maureen didn't hesitate for a second.
"Obviously."
"Let me tell you something. Last month, some guy in the marketing department mouthed off to my cousin once. Just once. My cousin had him shipped off to the warehouse. The man had been with the company six years, and he didn't even dare make a peep about it. Gone, just like that."
"So don't bite the hand that feeds you. My cousin's reach inside this company is beyond anything someone like you could imagine."
I went quiet for two seconds.