RegressCo - The Quarterly Evaluation

Chapter 1
Whole Story

Chapter Description: Tom is heading for his first quarterly evaluation at RegressCo’s head office in Hazelbrook. He’s spent all morning preparing, but how will he fare in front of the panel?

“Please, take a seat Mr Hyatt”

Tom walked into the small boardroom, taking his time to keep his shirt and tie straight as he sat in a chair opposite three of his colleagues. All were ranked above him, all were looking at notepads or laptops and none of them seemed to be smiling. RegressCo had been a relaxed place to work and all the staff had been welcoming. Sure, some were suffering from regression a little more than others and the smell took some getting used to sometimes, but he felt confident he’d been doing a good job so far.

“Thank you Stuart” he finally replied, grabbing a glass from the set of drinks on the table and pouring himself a glass of water. Three months in, it was time for the first of his evaluations. Stuart had given him various pieces of advice, the big one being not to get annoyed if any of the questions felt off. He’d prepared for this, and made sure he could cover all the various bases he needed.

“Now, I’m sure we all know each other here, but for formalities sake I’m Stuart, RegressCo HR representative and the employees line manager” the ruffled feathers of the crows neck shifted as he looked across the table at his colleagues

“I’m Cody, I’m the lead on RegressCo’s diversity and inclusivity, as well as the employees union representative” the skunk wasn’t someone he’d seen around before, but he was definitely a regressee. His fingers were tapping on an oversized laptop, his colourful booster seat visible over the top of the table.

“I’m Kirk, the secretary for this meeting and an assistant on the RegressCo organisational development and Regressee Reintegration Program” Tom knew Kirk pretty well, he’d been introducing him to several of his colleagues to get him used to how they acted. Had been very easy to make friends here with that kind of setup, even if he’d definitely lost some colourful stationary to the more adventurous regressed staff members.

“Please introduce yourself Mr Hyatt”

“Oh... “ John shook himself a little “I’m John, I’m an HR Clerical Assistant and I’m…”

“Thank you Mr Hyatt” Stuart interrupted, taking a look at some of the forms. Tom felt a little tinge of annoyance at the sudden bluntness but kept it in check, straightening himself up and trying to keep eye contact with the crow.

“Now, first of all, let's start with some nicer questions for you. Start you off slow” Stuart smiled at him “How did you find your first three months? Struggle with anything?”

Tom smiled back, thinking about the various scripted answers he’d repeated to himself overnight “I think everyone has teething problems when they start, but other than getting used to some of the IT systems and a few of the more difficult tasks, I think it’s been a very positive experience”

Kirk began to write notes under several of his boxes as Cody tapped away on the keyboard. Stuart nodded and kept eye contact, looking down at his notepad before looking back up again.

“Do you feel as though there’s any areas you could use additional assistance?”

Tom thought again, taking a drink of water to cover up for the time he was taking for an answer

“Well.. I think that I could use more time with colleagues to get used to their working styles. Would help me get a better idea of when to ask for…”

“Sorry, I mean, are there any areas where you feel we could help you adjust with your specific needs. Everyone wants more time with colleagues, but you have a space to yourself and your own way of working and organising your time. What can we do to help there?”

Tom was taken a little aback. He hadn’t really expected this type of question, he’d been prepared for questions about his understanding, not about whether he needed help.

“Well I… I don’t think so. As I said this has been quite positive, I’m settling in very well” he stammered a little, clearing his throat as he finished the sentence.

“You sure?” Cody pressed, his voice noticeably higher pitched “RegressCo is keen to make sure all members of staff are given support if they need additional training or want to advance”

Tom smiled again. He’d prepared for something similar to this, even if it felt a little patronising “I’d be very willing to take on any training programmes management might want me to do. I know I’m not able to do everything yet, but I’m keen to show I can be a reliable member of the team.”

Cody nodded, shifting in his seat a little and taking down notes “Well, I’m glad to hear you’re keen! We’ve noticed you’ve not kept track of some of your progress so far on the office chart, is there a reason for that?”

Tom looked back at Stuart, confused “I ummm… The office chart? I’m sorry I don’t think…”

“It’s ok Cody, he’s not there. Don’t worry though we’ll get him up at some point when we’re sure he’s ready” he nodded back at Tom and gave him a wink. This meeting was feeling really strange at this point. What office chart were they talking about? The only one he’d seen out in the hallway was…

“Well, I mean I’m not on the potty chart” he stammered out “I mean, why would I be?”

Kirk raised his eyebrow and spoke up “Tom, RegressCo knows many members of staff see the chart as an unnecessary part of their contribution to the company, but I think you’d probably do a lot to improve your standing with management if you made the effort to get your name up there.”

Tom was really not keen on that line of thought “But… why? I’m totally potty trained! Why would I need my name on that…”

“Whoa, whoa” Cody interrupted “You’re potty trained already? Stuart didn’t file that in your personal report for us. Is this true?”

Stuarts expression changed from a smile to a hard frown, looking at Tom with beady and piercing eyes “Please calm down Tom, I know this is hard, but it’s important that you’re honest with us during these meetings as they go on your permanent records.”

The fox gritted his teeth, his eyebrows twitching. What on earth were they talking about? “Stuart, I don’t know what you’re…”

“So you mean to say he’s not shown any interest at all?” Cody asked across the table, primarily looking towards Kirk “Wasn’t he given the briefing about it in orientation?”

“I was told about it yes but..” Tom found himself struggling to get a word in edgeways but he wasn’t about to let this slide.

“He was, but he’s never approached me about formally starting the certification process” Kirk responded, ignoring Toms interruption. Stuart had been nodding along, his eyes darting between his two colleagues before resting back on Tom.

“Tom, please. We’re making sure you’re properly settled into the company structure, there’s no need to get upset”

Upset?! Tom felt a hot flush come to his face “Look, I was told about that during orientation, but as I explained at the time and am trying to explain now, I am fully potty trained. Only the babies here…”

“You will not refer to your colleagues in that manner” Cody gave him a hard stare “Especially not if, as Kirk and Stuart are informing us, your motivation to improve here is less than impressive”

Tom was barely holding onto his tongue at this stage “Look… Cody, I apologise. I don’t understand why Stuart hasn’t given you that information but I assure you I am potty trained”

All three of the panel looked at each other, Kirk taking down a few more notes. Stuart looked a little concerned for a moment, before his face instead turned to a small smile.

“Ok Tom, you say you’re potty trained. But if that’s true, can you explain to us why you’re wearing a diaper?”

“What? I’m not wearing a di…” he looked down instinctually. While his formal pants were still clearly covering his underwear, he immediately noticed the tell-tale bulge. The one he’d seen on so many staff in the office who were under the effects of regression.

“I… I don’t wear these! I came in here in undies! I mean briefs!”

Cody couldn’t hold back a guffaw as the fox shifted in his seat trying to adapt to the feeling of the foreign garment between his legs “Tom, it’s ok. You know no one here minds if you wear diapers, it’s a requirement for many members of staff. You don’t need to try to prove to us that you don’t.”

Stuart also sighed, leaning back in his chair, his face softening “Look, we understand this is stressful and that you may really want to keep this position, but you need to be completely honest during these evaluations”

Tom just sat there, his mouth agape. What was going on? He definitely hadn’t come here in a diaper, but here he was, sitting in one in front of three members of staff who clearly thought he wore them everyday.

“I… I don’t need these! Please, I can prove to you I’m potty trained!” he stammered, his voice breaking at several points.

Cody tapped at his keyboard “Tom, that was what the office chart was for” he turned the screen towards the still shocked fox, showing him various graphs and data.

“Look, we keep track of the regularity of employee use of the toilet facilities here. We have to because the potty chart can be… manipulated sometimes” he cleared his throat “You’ve never visited them once in the whole time you’ve been here. That would suggest…”

“I go during my lunch break! I get a sub and use the potty then! You can’t use that…”

“So in the whole three months you’ve been here you’ve never once needed to use the restroom?” Stuart asked, leaning forward again “Do you even know where it is?”

“Sure I…” Tom stopped. He’d never worried about it, the need had never struck at his desk and he’d never had to ask “I… I don’t know Stuart, no”

Kirk put his pen down on the desk, having been taking notes the whole time during that discussion. “Tom, this evaluation is designed to determine how we can best assist you going forward as part of the company. I don’t think anyone here doubts your enthusiasm…” he looked at Stuart, who nodded in agreement “But if you’ve been struggling to make it to the potty, that’s nothing to be ashamed of. We can provide assistance there”

Tom went to reply but found nothing coming out. He couldn’t really think straight, none of what he’d prepared for had accounted for suddenly being in a diaper!

“Tom, as your manager” Stuart started, taking out his own notes “I have to say, overall, I’ve been impressed by your dedication to the tasks you’re given.” he turned over another page “But reports from other colleagues also suggest you’ve been neglecting team-building activities. Can you explain this?”

Tom shook himself, trying to get out of the stupor “I… I’m sorry, I was just focussed on doing the work and a lot of the exercises were… well… childish. I didn’t think…”

Cody interrupted again “Tom, I wouldn’t be saying these things are childish while in your current underwear” he smirked a little, the regressee taking the time to drive that point home “Puzzle solving activities with other staff members allows to recognise strengths and weaknesses within the team and find cohesive goals. Please bear that in mind going forward”

Tom gulped and nodded “Yes Cody.. sorry, I’ll get more involved in those” Cody smiled and went back to his laptop continuing to tap away.

“With that in mind, I think it’s best we assume you need a lot of additional training” Stuart noted “In multiple areas…”

Tom blushed again, squirming a little in his seat. All the talk about needing the bathroom was having an effect on his bladder.

“On that… subject” he cringed at his own wording “I really need to use the pot… I mean bathroom”

The three members of the panel all raised their eyebrows “Can’t you hold it until the end of the evaluation Tom? We’re nearly done, don't worry.” Stuart smiled reassuringly “It can be the start of your potty chart!”

Tom pulled one leg over the other, trying to keep himself from thinking about the pressure down below “O..Ok Stuart. Sorry, I’ll hold it”

“Good boy” Stuart “Now, where was I… ah yes development” he drew out a list of tick boxes, tapping the first one with the tip of his pen. “I’m going to ask a few questions about your initial experience here, please respond with yes or no, ok Tom?”

The fox nodded, his mind still focused on the increasingly dire need in his abdomen “Ye.. yes”

“Do you feel you have adequate equipment for reaching your desk?” Tom nodded, Stuart ticking the box

“Do you feel you have the support of the nursing staff when requesting their assistance for changing and/or feeding?”

“What? I don’t need any of that support!” Tom replied indignantly

Stuart sighed “I guess we’ll have to go with “No” for now. I’ll let our nurses know you need a proper introduction following this meeting” he ticked a different box and moved on

“Do you feel you have adequate time to engage in age-appropriate activities within work hours?”

“I… Yes?” Toms response was almost cut off by a sudden twinge in his bladder, but he managed to resist making that known.

“Good, good… If the member of staff suffers from a form of regression that impacts their ability to use bathroom facilities, do they feel that…

“I don’t. Need. Diapers!” Tom growled, his face now red from anger, his teeth tight “And I really need to use the bathroom”

Kirk moved his chair forward, leaning over the top of his desk “Tom, you’ve sat here without issue for fifteen minutes, and now apparently desperately need the bathroom” his eyes were clearly focussed on the foxes bulging underwear “So forgive us if we’re less than…

Tom’s eyes went wide. No. No no no.

With a sudden rush his bladder released, a hot stream of urine flowing into the waiting padding that had so rudely decided to replace his morning underwear. He couldn’t stop it, he was flooding the front with a total lack of control.

“Uh-oh” Cody also leaned forward “I know that look anywhere”

“Sh.. shut up!” Tom responded, tears starting to form in his eyes “I… really don’t”

“Tommy, please calm down. It’s alright. Everyone needs a little helping hand from time to time. It’s nothing to be ashamed of”

Tom grimaced. Tommy? Really? He wasn’t a regressee!

“I’m… I’m not regressed! I’m… I’m a… a… a big boy!” his hand shot to his mouth. He had definitely meant to say something else but the word wasn’t coming. The three interviewers all looked at each other, serious looks on their faces before looking back towards Tom.

“Tommy” Kirk started “I think we’re going to have to adjust some of your regular day to day work in light of this meeting. Don’t worry, you’ve not been bad, we just need to make sure you’re getting all the best here at RegressCo, ok?”

Tom sniffled, nodding as he wiped snot from his nose onto his onesie…

Wait… that’s not right

“I… where’s my suit?”

Once again Stuart chimed in “Suit? As in a business suit?” He smiled again, writing another note on his papers “Tommy, you’ve been dressed in that fetching outfit since you arrived. I have to say, it really suits you”

Tom looked at himself. What had once been his formal suit had morphed into a baby blue onesie, denim shortalls and buckled shoes. Snaps adorned the front of them, clearly designed for an easy change of underwear… one he now definitely needed.

“I… I…”

“Look, how about we take a break” Cody interrupted “You’re clearly distressed. I think we’re all clear about what support you need at this point” he tapped away at his keyboard “Stuart, can you make sure he’s clear about that?”

Stuart nodded “Certainly” he laid out all his notes on the table, taking them all in before looking back at Tom, whose eyes were now streaked with tears.

“Tommy, our conclusion from this meeting is that you will need the following support going forward in your time here at the company”

“Firstly, you will receive regular checks on your workload from myself to ensure you’re able to continue to put in the excellent effort you have shown so far. I’m happy to have you on the team.

Tom smiled, some good news at least…

“Secondly, you will engage in all training and team-building activities I sign you up for, including but not limited to, problem solving, potty training, movement and sharing”

Toms face dropped again, but he nodded. This couldn’t get worse…

“Thirdly, you will be regularly checked by nursing staff to ensure your diaper is being changed or you are using a potty provided by procurement to progress on the potty chart”

Ok… that was worse…

“Finally, we will reassess these goals in light of any changes to your advancement in approximately six months time, after which…

“Six months! But Stuart I…”

“Tommy, please, these things take time to assess. We’ll reconvene then to decide if we can move you up in the training regimen. Get you some big boy pants huh?!” he grinned.

Cody cleared his throat “Stuart, I think that’s all” he closed his laptop “Why don’t you take him to see the nurse? He needs a proper introduction…”

Stuart moved himself round the panel table, heading over to Toms chair. Tom looked up, his manager bearing down on him like he’d never felt before

“Come on, up ya get” Tom felt the crows spindly hands pick him up under the armpits, supporting him on his arm. At this point, he was only barely surprised. He’d regressed, he knew it now.

And as the realisation hit him he began to bawl in the arms of his manager.