The six board members sat silent, watching Ann Weatherby, the young woman standing in front of them. Ann was an attractive, 25 year old, natural blonde. She stood dressed in her dark blue power business suit. Her jacket short to the waist, with a matching skirt, that stopped just above her knees. Under the jacket was a white, high necked, blouse, whilst the stockings on her long legs, finished the outfit. She looked the very figure of an efficient business woman.
However, at this moment, she wasn't the efficient business woman, as she had failed badly over a very important sales contract. It was only through the CEO stepping in, that the sale had been saved. Of course this was inexcusable.
The men on the board looked to the chairman for guidance.
He took a moment to consider his words, his elbows resting on the long oak table. His face reflected years of tight negotiating with deep lines carved into his brow. It was a powerful face, used to people obeying his orders.
"Miss Weatherby, as you know, we are disappointed in this week's fiasco, other firms would sack you, but here at Peckett and Rand we take a more realistic approach. Up to now, your work has been very good, and we believe reviewing the evidence that this mistake was an exception."
Ann started to speak, but he held up his hand, silencing her.
"Due to our long tradition reaching back several decades, we have another option; one which has only ever been used once, and that was long before my time, when Ebenezer Peckett was a young man at the head of the board, some 70 years ago. Reviewing your situation I am guided by his decision, and in this case we will enact clause 58 p (i) of your contract."
There was an audible intake of breath form the other members none of whom was under fifty years of age, and one was in his seventies.
Anna searched her memory for this particular obscure clause. Her employment contract was so long, she knew she had skipped several pages.
"I'm sorry, Mr Chairman, but that particular clause escapes me for the moment."
"Miss Weatherby, it refers to alternative punishment applicable when any staff member fails in their duties to the company. It is a discretionary clause, that the board is allowed to take, and the decision to receive punishment by that means is up to you, but I will remind you that the alternative is dismissal."
Anna knew she could not afford to lose this job, as the pay was twice what anyone else was offering and her lifestyle had changed to match that salary.
"Mr Chairman, if that is the case, then by all means I choose to take that option and request that you carry on with the punishment."
"Good, we would hate to lose someone as efficient, and as pleasant to work with as you, Miss Weatherby," he smiled.
"Here, here."
"I will remind you, once you elect to receive the board's punishment, there will be no turning back, do you understand?"
"Yes, Mr Chairman, and thank you for giving me another chance."
"Good, well if all the members of the board are in agreement we will start, as I have already taken the liberty of setting up the punishment, on the assumption that Miss Weatherby would opt for this reprimand."
There was a murmur of assent from the six men facing Ann.
"Good in that case remove your skirt, slip and knickers."
"What??"
"Please remove your skirt, slip, and your knickers, Miss Weatherby."
"I don't understand, Mr Chairman!"
"Miss Weatherby, under clause 58 p (i), any poor performance can be punished by the person in questioned being caned on the bare buttocks, and to cane you on the bare buttocks you will have to remove your skirt, underclothes and any other clothes at the discretion of the board to carry out the punishment! The clause is quite long and goes on with other conditions, which are not important here at this moment, and may only be relevant later."
She could hear a note of impatience in the chairman's voice. She knew they would not lie to her and the clause must exist. She stared at the men in turn; all six were trying hard not to hide a leering smile, as she blushed deep red.
Caned! But that was like being back to public school. And then she realised, of course! Old Peckett would have probably had the cane when he was at school, and had decided to use it in the contract, probably never thinking women would be employed by the company.
Knowing she had little choice it was either this or walk out. If school boys could put up with this draconian punishment, then so could she. She took a deep breath and reaching around unclipped the waistband of her skirt and slid the zip down. Taking a deep breath, she let the skirt slip to the softly carpeted floor, before stepping out of it.
Next, she pulled down the short elasticised slip, revealing her stocking legs, her pale bare thighs contrasting with the black stockings and the thin straps of her suspenders. At least her sex was protected by her red thong panties, and she blushed heavily as she saw the men staring at this part of her anatomy. She had certainly not intended them to be seen in the present company.
"You may put your skirt and slip on that chair over there, Miss Weatherby."
The chairman indicated a chair on the far side of the room. Anna bent down and gathered the items, stood up, turned and walked over to the chair, revealing her naked buttocks with the thin red strap of her thong barely visible between the cheeks of her arse. Folding her clothes carefully, she lay them on top of each, turned around, and walked back to stand just in front of the long table.
"And, the knickers, Miss Weatherby."
"But sir, my buttocks are already bare."
"Miss Weatherby, the clause is quite specific about what you have to remove, the knickers must come off."
Anna resignedly slid her thumbs under the thin waist band and whilst bending at the waist slowly slid her panties down her long legs. She placed one hand between her legs as the stepped out of them. She quickly stood upright, facing the men with the minute article of clothing held between her hands, which rested in front of her now unprotected sex in an attempt to protect her modesty.
"Put the knickers with the other clothing, Miss Weatherby," the chairman indicated with a nod of his head.
Ann turned and walked over to the cupboard, where she reluctantly placed her panties with her other clothes, returning to stand before the board with her hands between her legs. There was a long moment of silence whilst they scrutinised her.
"John, I believe the intention of the phrase 'bare buttocks' was to have the recipient devoid of any clothing that might interfere with the enactment of the punishment. So we might request Miss Weatherby to concur with this, and be bare below the waist, don't you think."
"Hm, I think you might be right Henry, maybe to ensure there is no ambiguity in the punishment I think we will have to get you to remove the stockings and suspenders, Miss Weatherby, though you may replace your shoes."