The Truth Behind the Walls

(A Play on Employee Welfare)

Characters:
1. Riya – The young candidate for the job. (SAKSHI)
2. Ms. Sharma – The HR manager. (RIYA)
3. Ms. Gupta – The boss, full of enthusiasm and boasting about the company. (KHUSHI)
4. Neha – Senior employee, skeptical but kind. (DEVANSHI)
5. Viksha – Employee, practical and level-headed. (KHUSHALI)
6. Aditi – New employee, enthusiastic but unaware of the office environment. (VIRANSHI)
7. Ravina – Employee, always worried about job security. (HETVI)
8. Shivani – Employee, loyal but burdened by workload. (SIEYANA)
9. Priya – Employee, speaks up against injustice. (SHARADA)
10. Isha: Intern (MAHAK)
11. Narrator – The storyteller, who guides the audience through the scenes and provides context.
(HIMANSHI)
Act 1: The Interview Process

Scene 1: The HR Office

(Lights up. The Narrator steps forward to address the audience.)

Narrator: (to the audience) Meet Riya, a bright and ambitious young woman eager to start her career. She has an
interview at Global Rise Pvt. Ltd., a company that promises employee welfare, a supportive work culture, and
work-life balance. But… is everything as perfect as it seems?

(Ms. Sharma enters with a confident smile. She sits across from Riya

Ms. Sharma: (cheerfully) Welcome, Riya! I must say, your resume is quite impressive. Tell me, why do you
want to join Global Rise?

Riya: Thank you, ma’am! I’ve heard great things about your company, particularly your employee welfare
programs and work-life balance.

Ms. Sharma: (nods, reassuringly) That’s exactly what we stand for. We’re not just a company; we’re a family.
Our benefits, team culture, and work environment ensure that every employee thrives. I have a good feeling
about you.

Riya: (excited) That means a lot, ma’am!

(Ms. Sharma extends her hand for a handshake.)

Ms. Sharma: (smiling) Welcome to Global Rise, Riya. I’m passing your application to Ms. Gupta, our CEO.
She’ll take your final round. Best of luck!

(Riya exits, feeling confident. The stage dims.)

Scene 2: The Boasting Boss
(Narrator steps forward.)

Narrator: Riya’s second round is with the big boss—Ms. Gupta. With her polished words, she paints a picture of
a company that seems… too good to be true.

(Riya enters Ms. Gupta’s office. Ms. Gupta is sitting confidently behind a large desk.)

Ms. Gupta: (grins widely) Ah, Riya! I’ve heard wonderful things about you from Ms. Sharma. Let me tell you
—you’re about to enter the best workplace in the industry.

Riya: (excitedly) That sounds amazing, ma’am! I’ve been really inspired by the way this company prioritizes
employees.

Ms. Gupta: (boasts) Of course! Our staff retention rates are unmatched. No one leaves because they’re too
happy to go anywhere else! We offer flexible hours, wellness programs, team-building activities… even mental
health support. Trust me, we take care of our people.

Riya: That sounds wonderful ma’am. I am excited to get started.

(The lights dim as Riya shakes hands with Ms. Gupta.)

Act 2: Reality Strikes

Scene 3: Riya’s First Day at the Office

(Lights up. Riya enters the office, where Neha greets her.)

Neha: (smiles, but looks tired) Welcome, Riya! Let me show you around.

(As they walk, Riya notices overworked employees and a lack of enthusiasm.)

Riya: Neha, I thought the company was known for its great employee welfare?
Neha: (sighs) That’s what they told us too. But the workload is overwhelming, and the promised benefits? We
barely see them.

Riya: (confused and frustrated) But… why hasn’t anyone spoken up?

Neha: (pauses, then looks at Riya seriously) Some of us did, but our voices went unheard.

Narrator: A few days later, Riya, Neha, Aditi, Shivani were sitting in the office where Riya receives a mail.

Riya: (reading aloud) ‘Wellness Week: Because Your Well-being Matters.’ (scoffs) What a joke.

Aditi: (hesitant) But isn’t it good that they care?

Neha: Care? The AC hasn’t been fixed in two months! We’re using broken chairs, and HR’s only response is
‘budget constraints.’

Riya: (angry) Yet there’s always a budget for corporate parties and executive retreats.

Shivani: Exactly! We’re replaceable to them.

Riya: (firm) Not if we fight back. If we don’t stand up for ourselves, no one will.

Neha: There is no point in fighting. Let me show you what happened when we tried.

(Lights dim as Neha “takes” Riya into the past, guiding her towards the next scene.)

Scene 3B: Flashback – The Past Rebellion

(Lights dim. A few months earlier, in the breakroom, employees are gathered, looking tense. Neha, Viksha,
Priya, Isha stand together, confronting Ms. Sharma.)

Neha: Ms. Sharma, we’ve been asking for months! Where are the wellness programs you promised?

Isha: (hesitant and frustrated) And why are we still working overtime without pay?
Ms. Sharma: (dismissively) Look, ladies… these things take time. We’re working on improving policies.

Priya: (sarcastic) You’ve been “working on it” for a year.

Isha: (angrily) Meanwhile, we’re the ones working ourselves to exhaustion.

Ms. Sharma: (firm) These are company decisions. It’s not your place to question them.

Priya: (crossing arms) If it affects us, we have every right to question it. The company sells a dream to new
employees, but the reality is different. Where’s the mental health support? The team-building activities? The so-
called flexible hours?

Ms. Sharma: (warning tone) Watch your words, Priya.

Priya: (defiant) No. We deserve better. And if you won’t listen, we’ll take this higher.

(A heavy silence falls. Ms. Sharma exchanges a glance with an unseen authority figure, then sighs.)

Ms. Sharma: (coldly) You seem unhappy here, Priya. Maybe this isn’t the right place for you.

Priya: (narrowing her eyes) What does that mean?

Ms. Sharma: (placing a letter on the table) It means you’re no longer employed at Global Rise. Your services
are no longer required.

(Gasps fill the room. Priya looks down at the termination letter, stunned. The employees freeze, their worst
fears confirmed.)

Viksha: (whispering) They’re actually firing her…

Neha: (angrily) You can’t do this!

Priya: (clenching fists) This is retaliation. Just because I spoke up?

Ms. Sharma: (fake sympathy) I’m afraid we have to let go of those who don’t align with company values.
Please clear your desk by the end of the day.
(Priya takes a deep breath, standing tall despite the shock.)

Priya: (to everyone) Don’t let this scare you into silence. They can fire one of us, but they can’t fire all of us.

(Ms. Sharma stiffens. The other employees exchange uneasy glances, scared but inspired. As Priya exits, she
turns one last time to look at them.)

Priya: Fight for what’s right. If not for me, then for yourselves.

(She walks out. Silence hangs heavy in the air.)

(Lights fade as the flashback ends, returning to the present.)

Scene 4: Riya’s Determination

(Lights up. Riya is back in the present, sitting with Neha in the breakroom, processing what she just saw.)

Narrator: (to the audience) Those who spoke up were silenced. But this time… things are about to change.

Riya: (angrily) They fired Priya… just for speaking up…?

Isha: And no none dared to say a word... Seriously? Things were accepted the way they were.

Riya: (firmly, looking at Neha and the others) Not this time. We won’t stay quiet anymore.

Neha: (sighs, skeptical) Riya, I admire your enthusiasm, but we’ve been here before. People get fired for
pushing too hard.

Riya: (determined) Then we need to be smart. We can’t just complain—we need to show them why change is
necessary.

Viksha: (crossing her arms) And how do we do that?

Riya: (leaning forward) Strength in numbers. If one person protests, they can fire them. But if we all stand
together, they’ll have no choice but to listen.

Aditi: (nervous) But… what if they still ignore us?

Ravina: (nodding) Or worse, what if we fail?

Riya: (calm but strong) Then we fail together. But if we don’t try, nothing will change. Look around—aren’t
you all tired of this?

(The employees exchange uncertain but thoughtful glances. The seed of change has been planted.)

(Lights fade, setting the stage for the movement to begin.)

Act 3: The Struggle and Change

Scene 5: The Employee Breakroom – Uniting for Change

Narrator: Riya sits with Neha, Viksha, Aditi, Isha and Ravina during lunch. The atmosphere is tense as they
discuss the situation.

Riya: (urgently keeping her files down) We need a plan. Complaints won’t be enough.

Viksha: (thinking aloud) We need evidence—real proof of what’s happening.

Neha: (nodding, voice steady) Exactly. Working hours, unpaid overtime, the promotions that never come, the
benefits we were promised but never see… If we put all of it together, they can’t just dismiss us.

Aditi: (wringing her hands, hesitant but trying to be brave) But… what if they do? What if they still don’t
listen? Worse, what if they decide to make examples out of us? I can’t afford to lose this job.
Isha: I have just started interning and it took a lot of efforts to get into this company. I too can’t afford to lose
this job.

Viksha: (softly, but with conviction) None of us can. But isn’t that exactly why we need to do something?
We’re all stuck in this cycle of fear. If we don’t fight back now, when will we?

Shivani: (walking in, overhearing, setting her files down with a sigh) What’s going on?

Riya: (looking up, unwavering) We’re going to fight for change.

Shivani: (chuckles dryly, shaking her head) You’re bold, I’ll give you that. But I’ve been here long enough to
know how this ends. Management doesn’t just ignore complaints—they punish people for making them. Do you
know how many have tried before you?

Riya: (leaning forward, eyes burning with determination) And do you know how many have given up? That’s
the problem.

Shivani: (raising an eyebrow, skeptical) You really think management will listen?

Riya: (smiling slightly, confident) They haven’t met me yet. (Pauses) I have a plan.

Narrator: Riya shares her plan with everyone. After listening to her, the employees exchange determined looks.

Scene 6: The Confrontation with the Boss

Narrator: A grand conference room is filled with executives and employees. Do you think Riya’s plan will work
this time or will it be ignored once again.

Neha (calmly, clicking to the next slide): We have seen a significant decline in sales of the newly launched
product. So, we have come up with some plans that can help increase our sales.

Narrator: Neha explains her ideas and then calls Riya to continue.

Neha: I would now like to call upon Riya to continue the presentation.
Riya: As we look at the company’s performance this year, let’s shift our focus to something just as important—
our employees. The backbone of this organization.

(The slide changes abruptly, revealing a bold title: “THE TRUTH ABOUT EMPLOYEE WELFARE – OR
THE LACK OF IT.” The room murmurs in surprise.)

Ms. Gupta (frowning): Neha, this isn't the presentation we approved.

Neha (firmly): That’s right, ma’am. But it’s the one we need to see. Our employees are overworked,
underappreciated, and struggling with unrealistic targets. There is no proper welfare, no growth opportunities,
and minimal work-life balance.

(Gasps ripple through the room. Ms. Sharma shifts uncomfortably.)

Ms. Sharma (nervously chuckling): Neha, I think you’re exaggerating. We provide benefits—

Riya: Benefits? You mean the ones that look good on paper but never reach us?

Ravina: We work overtime without compensation. Promotions are a joke. We’re replaceable to you!

Isha: (gathering courage) And the team-building activities? You mean those emails about activities that never
actually happen?

Ms. Gupta: (glaring at Isha) Watch your tone.

Viksha: (stepping forward, her voice strong) No, Ms. Gupta. You watch how you treat your employees. We’ve
worked tirelessly without recognition. We have families, responsibilities, and lives outside this office. And yet,
we’re expected to sacrifice everything while you sit in meetings talking about “employee satisfaction”?

Neha (nodding): This company claims to value its employees, but when was the last time we saw real change?
Today, we demand answers, not excuses.

Ms. Gupta (sternly, standing up): This is out of line, Neha. If you have complaints, there are proper channels.
Neha (meeting his gaze): We’ve tried those channels, ma’am. They lead nowhere. Today, we’re making sure
our voices are heard.

(More employees stand up in support. Ms. Sharma whispers something to Ms. Gupta, who looks visibly angered
but also uneasy.)

Aditi: We’re not just employees. We’re the reason this company runs. And if nothing changes, we won’t stay
silent anymore.

(A moment of heavy silence. Ms. Gupta scans the determined faces in the room. The rebellion has begun.)

Ms. Gupta (taking a deep breath, addressing the room): I understand that you are all feeling unheard and
undervalued. This is not the company I envisioned. If you feel that your concerns have been dismissed, then I,
too, have failed in my duty to you.

(The room is quiet, employees exchange surprised glances.)

Riya: We need more than words, Ms. Gupta. We need actions.

Ms. Gupta (softening his tone): Neha, Riya, Viksha, Aditi, and everyone present, your dedication is what drives
this company. We need to make real changes. Today, I promise you we will start addressing these issues. Ms.
Sharma and I will form a committee, including representatives from various departments, to ensure your voices
are heard and acted upon."

Ravina: Thank you, Ms. Gupta. We need transparency and timely actions, not just promises.

Ms. Gupta (nodding): Absolutely. We will hold quarterly meetings to review our progress, and any welfare
initiatives will be shared company-wide. No more vague commitments. You have my word."

(Employees begin to relax, some even applaud.)

Riya (smiling slightly): Let’s work together to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

(The room starts to buzz with cautious optimism. Riya steps down from the podium, and the employees gather
around her, hopeful for the future.)
Scene 7: The Workplace Transformed

(A few months later, the office has changed. Employees are smiling. Ms. Gupta stands before them, humbled.)

Ms. Gupta: I admit, I was wrong. But thanks to you all, our employee welfare programs are now real and
accessible with better schedules, real wellness programs, and more support. Thank you, Riya, for bringing this
to our attention.

Riya: (smiling) We’re just glad to work at a place that finally listens.

Viksha: (grinning) And one that values us as people, not just workers.

Aditi: (relieved) I can finally leave on time without feeling guilty.

Shivani: (laughing) And I can actually take a weekend off without my phone ringing every five minutes!

Ravina: (sincerely) This feels like a new beginning for all of us.

Scene 8: Positive impact

Narrator: A few months later…. The breakroom is lively, employees are chatting and laughing. A wellness
poster is on the wall, and a few employees are enjoying coffee together. Riya enters, looking around with a
satisfied smile. She approaches Neha, who appears more relaxed than before. But this seems strange. Neha, who
always looked stressed during the working hours is smiling today…... Let’s get to know why…

(Lights up.)

Riya: (playfully) Neha, are you smiling during work hours? Who are you, and what have you done with my
overworked, stressed-out senior?

Neha: (laughing) I know, right? Ever since they started actually enforcing work-life balance, I’ve been able to
leave on time. I even joined yoga classes!

Aditi: (joining in) And guess what? The mental health sessions are actually happening now. I had my first
counseling session last week, and I feel… lighter. Like someone actually listened.
Riya: (genuinely happy) That’s amazing, Aditi! This is exactly what those programs were meant for—to help
us, not just be a fancy promise on paper.

Viksha: (grinning) Oh, and about those salary hikes? They finally reviewed our performance properly! I got my
first promotion last week.

Riya: (mock surprise) Wait, wait, wait—actual recognition for hard work? I might faint. Someone catch me.

(Everyone laughs as Shivani walks in, looking noticeably less stressed, holding a cup of tea.)

Shivani: I never thought I’d say this, but… I actually enjoy coming to work now.

Ravina: (smiling) And for the first time, I feel secure in my job. No more sleepless nights worrying about being
fired.

Isha: (agreeing to Ravina) Very true. Things have changed a lot and I also can balance my academics and work-
life properly.

(Ms. Gupta and Ms. Sharma enter, watching the employees with quiet satisfaction. Ms. Gupta clears her throat,
addressing the team.)

Ms. Gupta: (humbly) I won’t pretend we didn’t fail you before. But seeing you all like this… I realize how
important these changes were. Also, Ms. Sharma and I have decided to hire Priya back. Thank you, Riya, for
pushing us to be better.

(The employees nod in agreement, looking at Riya.)

Riya: (smiling, but firm) It wasn’t just me. It was all of us. Change doesn’t happen because one person speaks
up—it happens when everyone refuses to stay silent.

(The employees stand together, united and laugh and chat as a team.)

Narrator: (to the audience) True employee welfare isn’t just about having policies—it’s about making sure they
truly benefit the people. And when a workplace values its employees, everyone wins.